The first time found direct evidence of lightning phenomenon on Mars

Chris Ruf is a professor working at the University of Michigan's Department of Air, Ocean, and Air Sciences and Electrical and Computer Science. He said the lightning on Mars is dry lightning.

Ruf said: 'What we see on Mars is a series of big and sudden discharges, caused by a large-scale dust storm. Apparently there was no rain associated with the discharge at Mars. '

The phenomenon of electric discharge when there is a dust storm on Mars has a great significance for Mars science research.

Nilton Renno, a professor at the University of Michigan, said: 'This phenomenon affects the chemical composition of the atmosphere, the viability of the creature on Mars and the preparations for human Mars exploration. This phenomenon may even refer to the origin of life, as suggested by experiments in the 1950s. '

To serve this observation, the UM Air Cargo Research Laboratory has developed a microwave detector.This device is capable of distinguishing between heat radiation and non-thermal radiation. It measures shortwave radiation from Mars five hours a day, for 12 days from May 22, 2006 to June 16, 2006.

Dust storm on Mars. (Photo: Brian Grimm and Nilton Renno)

On June 8, 2006, intense non-thermal radiation and dust storms took place on Mars at the same time. This is the first time that non-thermal radiation has been detected. Non-thermal radiation suggests the presence of lightning.

The researchers reviewed data to determine the intensity, duration and frequency of non-thermal activity as well as the potential for other sources of energy. Of course, every experiment has come to the conclusion that dust storms can be the cause of dry lightning.

This work confirms geological measurements from NASA's Viking 1 and Viking 2 reconnaissance ships 30 years ago. This is a challenge for the experiment in 2006 because the 2006 experiment gave another suggestion.

Data from two Viking scouts also gave the possibility that the dust storm on Mars is like a storm on the earth, and so it may give rise to a chemical reaction. However, this hypothesis cannot be verified. In 2006, using theoretical models, laboratory experiments and paper research on Earth, a group of scientists said there was no direct evidence to show lightning on Mars . This new study rejected the findings.

Michael Sanders, who oversees the technology office and the explorer system at JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory, co-authored the study, said: 'Mars takes us from one surprise to another. . Every new look on this planet gives us a new discovery. '

This new result will appear in the upcoming issue of Geophysical Research Letters. In addition to Ruf and Renno, other UM authors participating in this study include Dr. Jasper Kok, graduate student Etienne Bandelier, Steve Gross research engineer of the University of Michigan's Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Department. .