NASA Reveals Dust Devil Data from Mars 116
saskboy writes "NASA reports that Martian dust devils could be much more destructive than previously considered. You may remember this past April when it was revealed that whirlwinds actually helped the current rovers by cleaning accumulated dust from their solar cells which increased their energy collection efficiency.
But after studying the mini-storms more, they realize that the dust and sand particles could cause static electricity discharges, also known as lightning. The high speed grains of sand blowing around at about 30 meters/second (70 miles per hour) are nothing to blink at either, since they can damage astronauts or equipment on the Martian surface. The height of a Martian dust devil can reach 10km (6 miles), which means it's more like the size of a terran tornado."
Thanks :) (Score:5, Funny)
Thanks
Well then (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Not as powerful as tornadoes... (Score:5, Funny)
We may not be able to reliably measure their destructive force because there are no trailer parks for them to tear up...
Now we can find life on Mars, at last (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Not as powerful as tornadoes... (Score:5, Funny)
Many of the other variables mentioned as possible influences on the frequency of tornadoes, such as camcorder sales, are also substantially lower or in fact zero on Mars.
Damage astronauts? (Score:1, Funny)
As far as I know, there are no astronauts on Mars so it is not possible for them to be damaged. However, they could be damaged if they were there. Is some kind of backwards Capricorn 1? We actually go there, but don't tell anyone? Conspiracy theorists awake!
blink (Score:3, Funny)
I dunno... they sound like a good reason to blink, if you ask me.