Scientists have verified that the dusty storms on Mars can generate mini lightning, putting an end to years of conjecture. This finding was achieved using a microphone onboard NASA’s Perseverance rover, which is surveying the Jezero Crater area. While capturing the sounds of Martian winds, the rover picked up crackling and popping noises, recognized as minor electrical discharges occurring within dust devils and storm fronts. Unlike the thunder of Earth, these lightning noises mimic those of static electricity. Over the span of two Martian years, researchers recorded 55 short discharges, typically arising when dust devils or storm fronts moved past the rover. NASA has made an audio recording of these occurrences available.

Ralph Lorenz, a scientist working with Perseverance, remarked on the distinct “snap” sound of the sparks. Dust devils on Mars form in a way that is similar to their Earth counterparts, even with Mars’ thinner atmosphere. They manifest on dry days when the ground heats more than the surrounding environment, creating whirlwinds that funnel hot air upwards. As wind-driven grains collide, they exchange tiny electric charges, generating strong electric fields that can result in sparks or lightning. The thin Martian atmosphere enhances the likelihood of this phenomenon, as generating sparks requires less charge compared to Earth.

Scientists have suspected the presence of lightning on Mars for a long time, but it had not been directly witnessed until now. The microphone of Perseverance recorded the sounds associated with these lightning events, and the device also gathered electromagnetic data. Sparks were observed when dust was lifted and collided, influenced by the movement and friction of grains. These discoveries are documented in the journal Nature.

Even though Perseverance encountered only two significant dust devils, both emitted detectable sparks, implying that many other whirlwinds on Mars likely do the same. Frequently forming dust storms presumably generate more electricity than isolated dust devils. Martian lightning could potentially modify the planet’s surface chemistry, producing compounds that damage organic matter, complicating the search for traces of ancient life.

Grasping this phenomenon is vital for the safety of spacecraft and future astronauts. While no significant electrical damage has been recorded during rover missions, the Soviet Mars 3 lander may have experienced a spark-related failure in 1971. Mars is generally a serene environment due to its low atmospheric pressure, and there was a period when the Perseverance team suspected the rover’s microphones were malfunctioning because of the prevailing silence.