The microphone of the SuperCam instrument on NASA's Perseverance rover has detected electric discharges from dust devils

on Mars. This is the first time that electric discharges have been detected on Mars.

New Delhi: NASA’s Perseverance Rover has detected electric discharges on Mars from the first time, at the centre of two

dust devils. The detection was made by the microphone on the SuperCam instrument carried by the Perseverance rover,

which is the first to operate on Mars. The winds on Mars constantly stir up whirlwinds of the fine dust caking the

surface, known as dust devils. These dust devils sweep across the surface of Mars. The recordings were analysed by

scientists, with the detection having implications for improving the scientific understanding of the atmospheric

chemistry of Mars, along with its climate and potential habitability.

The observations will benefit future crewed and robotic exploration of the Red Planet. The analysis by the scientists

indicated that the electromagnetic and acoustic signatures were comparable to small electricity shocks that can be

experienced on Earth when touching charged surfaces. Such electric discharges have been long suspected to exist in the

atmosphere of the Red Planet, and has been confirmed through direct observation for the first time. The static

electricity is explained by friction between the fine dust particles as they swirl around, they become charged with

electrons that are released in the form of electric arcs a few centimetres in length, accompanied by audible shock

waves.

Electric discharges alter atmosphere of Mars