The Secrets of the Universe | Scariest Thing in Solar System | COSMOS in a minute #15 @TheSecretsoftheUniverse | Uploaded May 2023 | Updated October 2024, 4 days ago.
Dust storms on Mars are among the scariest things in the solar system. These giant storms happen because of the thin air and dusty ground on Mars. When sunlight warms up the air, strong winds pick up and lift the dust high into the sky. The storms can surge to unimaginable heights, even enveloping the entire planet for weeks or months! They can be so powerful that they create lightning! Although it's not as common as on Earth, the static electricity from the swirling dust can create sparks. One unforgettable event related to the Martian dust storms was the loss of the Opportunity Rover. In 2018, a huge dust storm engulfed the planet, blocking sunlight from reaching Opportunity's solar panels. Efforts to reconnect with the rover failed, ending its 15-year mission. Surviving these dust storms will be one of the biggest challenges for future astronauts on Mars.

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