The European Space Agency has just spotted some Earth-like clouds more than 53 million miles from our planet.
In a study published Nov. 15 in the magazine IcarusThe European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express probe observed two dust storms in 2019 onwards red planet which has produced cloud patterns eerily reminiscent of those on Earth. Despite the fact that both planets have incredibly different atmospheres — Mars is dry and cold while Earth is dense, humid and hot — the dust clouds will spiral up like those that occur during Earth’s extratropical hurricanes.
This observation gives researchers more insight into the natural processes of cloud formation, despite the large differences between the two planets.
Similar cloud patterns on Mars and Earth.
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“When one thinks of a Mars-like atmosphere on Earth, one could easily think of an arid desert or polar region. It is completely unexpected, therefore, that by tracing the chaotic movement of dust storms, parallels can be drawn with processes occurring in the humid and hot tropics that are not quite Mars-like”Colin Wilson, European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express project scientist, he said in a statement. Wilson was not directly involved in the study.
The storms occurred during spring at the Martian north pole, a time when storms usually form on the Red Planet. As the dust entered the atmosphere, it began to form smaller cloud cells with a grain-like texture, reminiscent of those on Earth. This happens when warm air rises due to the density of the cooler air around it.
You can see the same phenomenon happening in cumulus clouds on Earth that form when it’s about to rain. Instead of the water droplets that form the clouds here, Martian clouds are made of dust heated by the sun and causing it to rise.
Dust storms at the north pole of Mars.
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Insights from the 2019 storm help inform us about how atmospheres work on different planets, while also helping us understand how dust storms on Mars could affect future astronauts. For example, a massive dust storm followed by massive cloud patterns could block sunlight from hitting important solar arrays on Mars colonies or rovers. Knowing how these clouds form and how long they last can help keep these systems from losing energy.
The researchers note that future studies could build on their findings by also comparing cloud formations on Earth with those on Mars. Venus. This could help shed more light on how these dust clouds operate on the Red Planet and beyond.
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