Martian Dust Storm
Explanation:
If you've been unhappy with the weather on Earth,
check
out Mars, now in the grip of a
planet-wide dust storm.
Above, observations from
the orbiting
Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)
spacecraft illustrate the storm's progress through July 21.
The series of dated frames show measurements from the MGS
Thermal Emission Spectrometer
which can determine both temperature and amount of
atmospheric dust.
Dust data
has
been plotted on maps of the martian surface with blue
representing relatively clear atmosphere and red colors indicating
increasing concentrations of dust.
In mid June, scientists first noticed the beginnings of the storm in
Mars'
southern hemisphere and have watched it grow to obscure most of
the planet.
Unfortunately for
Mars-watchers,
the timing of the storm has hidden
the
Red Planet's surface from view during its period of
close approach to planet 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.
