Watch: NASA rover records unique event on Mars for the first time

The Perseverance rover on Mars has captured a rare event on the planets surface, marking a milestone in planetary exploration. For the first time, the rover recorded the sounds of tiny electrical sparks and small sonic booms generated by dust devils sweeping across Mars.

These new audio recordings validate long-standing scientific theories suggesting that friction among fine dust particles within these whirlwinds could generate electrical charges, occasionally leading to visible electrical discharges.

Before Perseverance arrived on Mars in February 2021, researchers speculated that dust particles swirling in dust devils might produce enough static electricity to create sparks. The recent findings confirm that these static discharges do indeed occur.

NASA reports that the intensity of the sparks is similar to the static shock a person might feel after walking on a carpet and touching a metal object, a phenomenon known as the triboelectric effect. While dust devils themselves are common on Mars, capturing the associated sounds and electrical activity is unprecedented.

Perseverance detected these electrical phenomena in October 2024, with one dust devil specifically recorded on September 5. Scientists say this discovery could significantly deepen our understanding of the Martian atmosphere, suggesting it can become electrically charged enough to trigger chemical reactions.

Author: Olivia Parker