Martian dust storm now officially a global dust event

Martian dust storm now officially a global dust event

One of the most intense dust storms ever observed on Mars is raging across the planet since May 30, 2018. The storm grew rapidly over the next 20 days and is now officially a 'planet-encircling' (global) dust event. Although Martian dust storms are common…

How is Mars rover Opportunity still alive?

How is Mars rover Opportunity still alive?

Today, we review one of the great ongoing mysteries in the history of Mars exploration. In January of 2004, the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity arrived at the red planet about three weeks apart.Due to the extreme dustiness of the Martian environment, it was believed

Space fleet ready for Siding Spring’s historic brush with Mars

Space fleet ready for Siding Spring’s historic brush with Mars

C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) is scheduled for a very close flyby at only about 139 500 km (88 000 miles) away from the surface of Mars on October 19, 2014 around 18:27 UTC. That is less than half the distance between Earth and its moon and less than one-tenth the distance

Earth-Mars communications affected by a Mars solar conjunction

Earth-Mars communications affected by a Mars solar conjunction

This month communication between Mars and Earth may be disrupted due to a planetary arrangement called Mars solar conjunction, where Mars will be passing almost directly behind the sun from Earth’s perspective. Mars solar conjunction happens once about every 26

NASA is tracking huge dust storm on Mars

NASA is tracking huge dust storm on Mars

Huge dust storm on Mars has spawned changes in the Martian atmosphere. The Martian dust storm was spotted by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) on November 10, 2012 and has been tracked ever since. Opportunity rover recorded a slight drop in atmospheric