Lightning On Mars

[BURNING MAN]

First Direct Evidence Of Lightning On Mars Detected

ScienceDaily (July 1, 2009) — For the first time, direct evidence of lightning has been detected on Mars, say University of Michigan researchers who found signs of electrical discharges during dust storms on the Red Planet.

The bolts were dry lightning, says Chris Ruf, a professor in the departments of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.

"What we saw on Mars was a series of huge and sudden electrical discharges caused by a large dust storm," Ruf said. "Clearly, there was no rain associated with the electrical discharges on Mars. However, the implied possibilities are exciting."

Electric activity in Martian dust storms has important implications for Mars science, the researchers say.

"It affects atmospheric chemistry, habitability and preparations for human exploration. It might even have implications for the origin of life, as suggested by experiments in the 1950s," said Nilton Renno, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences.

The findings are based on observations made using an innovative microwave detector developed at the U-M Space Physics Research Laboratory. The kurtosis detector, which is capable of differentiating between thermal and non-thermal radiation, took measurements of microwave emissions from Mars for approximately five hours a day for 12 days between May 22 and June 16, 2006.

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[BURNING MAN]

I've always had an interest in the 1952 Miller-Urey Experiment, considered to be the classic experiment on the origin of life.

Here is an article from 2008.

Volcanic lightning may have sparked life on Earth

[kidflash2008]

I do know they have found lightning on the gas giants, and always thought there was lightning on Mars. This is an interesting find, and I wonder if Venus also has lightning on its surface.

Thank you for the article.

[Area-51]

Well, all the planets around us, hav an atmophere, though much weaker than earth´s. And when there is an atmosphere, there are electrons, which are able to create high voltage via friction, similar to the lightnings we ecounter on earth.

[kidflash2008]

The weaker atmospheres may not get the electrical storms the Earth does. Jupiter and the gas giants along with Venus have a much denser and stronger atmosphere than Earth. The heat on Venus makes me wonder if they have the same type of electrical storms.

[Area-51]

Good point. Well, I think it depends on the chemical structure of the amtosphere, but I´m not sure.

[BURNING MAN]

Scientists currently know of only 5 planets that generate lightning- Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and now Mars.

The lightning on Venus and Mars is unique from that found on Earth, Jupiter and Saturn in that it is not associated with water clouds. The lightning on Venus is associated with clouds of sulphuric acid, and we now know that the dry lightning on Mars is associated with electrically charged dust particles.

[kidflash2008]

I learn something new everyday!