Mud devils on Mars produce lightning-like zaps of electrical energy

Electrified whirlwinds on Mars can produce lightning-like discharges, which might pose a risk to the rovers trundling round on the Purple Planet’s floor.

Extreme climate on Mars can typically create mud devils, whirlwinds of Martian soil that spin for a couple of minutes earlier than vanishing. Mud devils type on Earth too, they usually can turn out to be electrified when the bigger mud particles they carry – which are usually positively charged – fall to the bottom, whereas smaller and negatively charged particles are lofted upwards. If this electrical subject turns into massive…