KICKING UP DUST

1

Desert dust

The dust storms that frequently rise from the cold deserts of Mars, sometimes rage across the entire Martian globe, which crackle and snap with electricity.

2

Electrifying dust

It is possible that dust particles could be electrified in Martian dust storms when they rub against each other as they are carried by the winds, transferring positive (+) and negative (-) electric charges.

3

Strong swirls

Electric fields generated by dust are thought to be strong enough to break apart carbon dioxide and water molecules in the Martian atmosphere, recombining to make reactive chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, which you’ll find in bleach and ozone.