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Explanation: Batten down the hatches, here comes another Martian dust storm. The thin soil on Mars can be picked up by high winds to create dust storms that sweep down plains and can sometimes envelop most of the planet. The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft currently orbiting Mars recently photographed such a dust storm raging on Mars' northern plains. The advancing storm front can be seen dividing clear and obscured areas on the photograph on the left. Even away from dust storms, isolated tornado like swirls called dust devils can reach 8-kilometers high and also be created by Martian winds. Studying wind phenomena on Mars provides valuable insight towards understand similar phenomena here on Earth.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mars - dust storm
Publications with words: Mars - dust storm
See also:
- APOD: 2026 July 29 Á Psyche Receives Gravity Assist from Mars
- APOD: 2026 July 28 Á Barnards Loop over Twin Volcanoes
- APOD: 2026 July 21 Á Turtle Rock on Mars
- APOD: 2026 June 27 Á Mars Marathon by Perseverance
- APOD: 2026 February 22 Á Shadow of a Martian Robot
- APOD: 2026 February 1 Á Galle: Happy Face Crater on Mars
- APOD: 2025 September 28 Á Leopard Spots on Martian Rocks