Researchers believe they have identified lightning on Mars: "Crucial piece of the puzzle"

Researchers have recorded what they believe to be lightning on Mars by listening to the sounds of swirling winds captured by NASA's Perseverance rover. A French-led team reported Wednesday that a microphone on the rover detected crackling electrical discharges.

The team documented 55 occurrences of small-scale lightning over the course of two Martian years, mostly during dust storms and dust devils. Nearly all events happened on the windiest days, or sols, on Mars.

These tiny electrical arcs, measuring just inches, occurred within 6 feet of the microphone mounted atop the rovers mast, which is used for examining rocks with cameras and lasers. The sparks, similar to static electricity on Earth, were audible amid gusting winds and airborne dust.

Scientists have been searching for signs of electrical activity on Mars for more than 50 years, said Baptiste Chide, lead author of the study from the Institute for Research in Astrophysics and Planetology in Toulouse. He noted that the findings open a new avenue for studying Martian chemistry and atmospheric phenomena, calling it "a missing piece of the puzzle."

Daniel Mitchard of Cardiff University, not involved in the study, emphasized that the evidence comes from a single instrument designed to monitor laser zaps on rocks, not lightning. The discharges were heard rather than seen. "It is a chance discovery, and everything suggests it is Martian lightning," he said, while cautioning that further verification is needed.

Chide described the lightning as "like a faint thunderstorm on Earth, barely visible to the naked eye," with many small zaps obscured by Mars thin, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, which dampens sound. The planets conditions make sparks from dust and sand more frequent than on Earth, though the likelihood of a human being struck is extremely low. However, such static discharges could affect sensitive equipment.

Perseverance has previously transmitted sounds of its wheels rolling over Martian soil and the blades of its former helicopter companion, Ingenuity. The rover has been exploring a dry river delta since 2021, collecting rock samples that may hold evidence of ancient microbial life, with plans for a future return to Earth still uncertain.

In a related development, Blue Origin recently launched its second New Glenn rocket, carrying two small NASA satellites to Mars. The satellites, named Blue and Gold, are part of the ESCAPADE mission to study the planet's atmosphere and how the Sun has stripped it over time. After flybys and a year-long orbit around the Moon, the probes are expected to arrive at Mars in September 2027.

ESCAPADE aims to answer questions about the loss of Mars global magnetic field, which left the atmosphere exposed to solar winds and energetic particles, shaping the planets environment over billions of years.

Analysis: The Discovery of Lightning on Mars – A Step Toward Understanding Martian Atmosphere

The recent discovery of what appears to be lightning on Mars, as captured by NASA's Perseverance rover, marks a significant milestone in planetary science. For over half a century, scientists have sought evidence of electrical activity on Mars, and the findings from the French-led team bring us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the Red Planet’s atmosphere. The recorded electrical discharges, occurring primarily during dust storms and dust devils, offer valuable insights into the planet's meteorological and atmospheric processes.

However, while the detection of these discharges is groundbreaking, it's important to note that the evidence stems from a single instrument, designed not for studying lightning, but for monitoring laser zaps on rocks. As such, the findings still require further verification. Experts like Daniel Mitchard from Cardiff University have pointed out that while the discharges are suggestive of Martian lightning, the limited nature of the data and the unconfirmed status of the observations warrant caution before drawing definitive conclusions.

In addition to enhancing our understanding of Martian weather, this discovery also opens new avenues for research into the planet's chemistry. The faint electrical zaps, similar to static electricity on Earth, could offer clues about the formation of Martian dust and its interaction with the planet’s thin, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. Such insights may prove crucial for future missions, especially those aimed at exploring Mars in greater depth or even planning human settlement.

As scientists continue to analyze these Martian lightning signals, upcoming missions, such as the ESCAPADE satellite launch, are poised to provide more data on Mars' atmospheric conditions. These satellites, launching in 2027, will study the loss of the planet's magnetic field and its implications for the Martian environment, further enhancing our understanding of this alien world.

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• Scientists think they've detected lightning on Mars: "Missing piece of the puzzle"