Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.
An inspirational team of citizen scientists working with NASA have mapped the clouds of Mars, finding patterns of cloud clustering and behavior. For this research in particular, the citizen scientists used data from an MRO instrument called the Mars Climate Sounder, which viewsin visible and infrared light to measure its temperature, humidity, and dust content in vertical"slices" to predict the climate and weather of the Red Planet.
These"mesospheric clouds" are interesting because though Mars is a dry and arid planet, water vapor is found in the atmosphere, and it can form water-ice clouds. The frigid atmosphere of Mars is 95% carbon-dioxide, meaning clouds of"dry ice" can also form here. These latter clouds are believed to form during particular dusty seasons on Mars, particularly during spring and summer in the planet’s southern hemisphere when warmer temperatures produce stronger winds that stir surface dust, creating spinning columns of dust called dust devils. These dust devils are believed to carry water molecules up into the atmosphere of Mars, and as the dust is suspended there, this helps prevent water from falling back to Mars’ surface as rain or snow.
The structure of the clouds seen by the Cloudspotter participants follows large-scale temperature oscillations in the atmosphere of Mars called thermal tides. The team also found that in the colder regions of the Martian atmosphere, clouds were more common.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukrainian immigrant, physics teacher to tackle TCS NYC MarathonTCS Team Teachers picked Yevgenya 'Jenny' Salerno and 49 other teachers out of hundreds who applied to run.
Read more »
Energy efficient particle collider concept could revolutionize physicsInteresting Engineering is a cutting edge, leading community designed for all lovers of engineering, technology and science.
Read more »
Rocks From Mars Are Hitting Earth, And Something Is Odd About Their AgeThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
Perseverance pastry: Celebrity chef Duff Goldman makes Mars rover cakeRobert Pearlman is a space historian, journalist and the founder and editor of collectSPACE.com, an online publication and community devoted to space history with a particular focus on how and where space exploration intersects with pop culture. Pearlman is also a contributing writer for Space.
Read more »
10 Movie Moments That Made Fans Rage Quit The FranchiseFrom Legolas ignoring physics in The Hobbit movies to Deadpool's mouth getting sown shut, these moments essentially doomed entire franchises.
Read more »
Marina Cicogna Dies: Pioneering Producer of Oscar-Winning Film Was 89Marina Cicogna, the pioneering producer of classics including Elio Petri's Oscar-winning 'Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion,' has died.
Read more »