Curiosity Rover Observes Iridescent Clouds on Mars, Providing New Insights

Images captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover have proven uncommon iridescent clouds drifting throughout the Martian sky. These formations, noticed within the planet’s twilight, have been seen at excessive altitudes the place daylight nonetheless reaches them regardless of dusk on the floor. The photos have been taken on January 17, utilizing one of many rover’s onboard cameras, with particular person frames stitched collectively to create a time-lapse video. Scientists are analysing these cloud patterns to realize insights into Mars’ atmospheric processes and local weather circumstances.

Details of the Findings

A report from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) detailed that these high-altitude clouds, composed of carbon dioxide ice, have been seen floating between 60 and 80 kilometres above the floor. The chilly temperatures at these heights trigger the condensation of carbon dioxide, forming distinctive cloud constructions. Some of the ice crystals have been noticed descending earlier than evaporating at roughly 50 kilometres, the place temperatures start to rise.

As reported by area.com,that that is the fourth Martian 12 months through which Curiosity has recorded these cloud formations. The phenomenon was first noticed by NASA’s Pathfinder mission in 1997, which captured photos from a location simply north of the Martian equator.

Expert Analysis on Martian Clouds

In a press release to NASA’s JPL, Mark Lemmon, Atmospheric Scientist on the Space Science Institute in Colorado, remarked that the primary sighting of those iridescent clouds was initially considered a color anomaly. He highlighted that their seasonal recurrence has allowed researchers to foretell their look and plan observations prematurely.

Last 12 months, scientists produced probably the most complete cloud map of Mars, compiled from 20 years of knowledge gathered by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter. This research categorised a variety of cloud formations, together with patterns not seen on Earth. Daniela Tirsch, Planetary Geologist on the German Aerospace Center, commented on the time that Martian clouds exhibit vital variety.

Unanswered Questions About Cloud Formation

Observations have to date been restricted to particular areas, with no twilight clouds detected by the Perseverance rover, which landed in Jezero Crater in 2021. This has led scientists to query what makes sure areas extra conducive to their formation.

Lemmon defined that carbon dioxide was not anticipated to condense into ice at these altitudes, suggesting an unknown cooling mechanism at work. He pointed to atmospheric gravity waves as a attainable issue, although their function in Martian climate patterns stays unsure. Further research are deliberate to higher perceive these cloud formations and their implications for the planet’s local weather.