A Polar Martian Dust Storm
Explanation:
On August 29, a large dust storm was photographed
erupting out from the north polar cap of
Mars.
Such
dust storms are not uncommon as summer advances in the north.
In the
above picture taken by the
Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft currently orbiting
Mars, the white material is
frozen carbon dioxide that covers much of the extreme north.
As the north polar cap region begins to thaw,
a temperature difference occurs between the
cold frost region and recently thawed surface,
resulting in swirling
winds between the
adjacent regions.
Visible in the storm is a strong central jet
about 900 kilometers long that is creating symmetric
swirling vortices.
Although
winds can reach 100 km/hour, the
thin atmosphere of Mars usually makes
such storms less destructive than
similar storms on Earth.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
