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Scientists believe they have recorded electrical activity in Mars’ atmosphere for the first time, suggesting the planet is capable of generating lightning.
NASA’s Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in 2021, was sent to search for signs of life and has been exploring the Jezero Crater area for the past four years.
The discharge, nicknamed “mini-lightning,” was captured in audio and electromagnetic records recorded by the rover’s SuperCam instrument.
Scientists hope to send new instruments measuring atmospheric discharges and more sensitive cameras to Mars to try to confirm these findings.
A team of researchers from France analyzed 28 hours of microphone recordings made by NASA’s rover over two Martian years, or 1,374 Earth days.
They found that discharges are often associated with dust storms and dust storm fronts.
Dust devils are small cyclones of hot air rising from the ground, and their internal movement can cause electrical discharges.
“These discharges represent a major discovery with direct implications for Mars’ atmospheric chemistry, climate, habitability and the future of robotic and human exploration,” Dr. Baptiste Kidder, the study’s lead author, told Reuters.
He and other scientists at the French Institute of Astrophysics and Planetology believe that Mars now joins Earth, Saturn and Jupiter as planets known to have atmospheric electrical activity.
Particle physicist Dr. Daniel Pritchard wrote in the science journal Nature that while the recordings would “provide persuasive evidence for dust-induced discharges,” because the discharges were only heard but not seen, “there will inevitably be some doubt as to whether this is indeed Martian lightning.”
He added: “Given the history of this area, the debate is likely to continue for some time.”
In September, scientists discovered rocks with unusual markings on Mars.
Known as leopard spots and poppy seeds, these interesting markings contain minerals produced by chemical reactions and may be related to ancient microorganisms.
It’s possible that the minerals were created by natural geological processes, but NASA says the signatures may be the clearest signs of life found yet.
Today, Mars is a cold, arid desert. But billions of years ago, evidence suggests it had a thick atmosphere and water, making it an ideal place to search for past life.
Perseverance was sent to Jezero Crater because it exhibits qualities that could mean it was once hospitable to life, including signs that it was once a delta when Mars could sustain liquid surface water.
