What a wind on Mars. Is it possible to predict the dust storms on Mars? Problems of solar energy

Dust storms rush over the surface of Mars every year. Sometimes they grow so much that they hide the planet out of sight. This can put future colonists in a predic suffer position: some storms can last for several months, flamingly sunlight and depriving solar energy source batteries. Currently, there is no accurate way to predict such storms, but according to the calculations of scientists in the next few months on the red planet will be raged the strongest dusty storm, and if it really happens, then in the future, tracing cataclysms will be much easier.

Most likely, global dust storms occur when Mars turns out to be closest to the sun. According to James Shirley, Astronoma from the laboratory of the reactive acceleration of NASA and the author of articles on research of Martian storms, the stronger the dust is heated in the atmosphere, the faster it moves, so it is quite logical. Sometimes the dust pole rises to the atmosphere by 60 kilometers (for comparison, the height of Everest is only 8.848 kilometers). Forecasting of such storms is complicated primarily by the fact that we are about them very little. "On the one hand, they should not happen at all, and on the other - dust storms must last constantly, because Mars is well lit by the Sun and heats up under his rays. The reasons why storms occur periodically and irregularly, we are not yet known, "says Shirley.

The dust storm can prevent not only the work of the cosmonauts on the planet itself, it can simply not give a shuttle to land on Mars. When the atmosphere heats up and dust comes into motion, it not only worsens visibility and hides the landing zone (because of which the ship can easily land, for example, in the gorge), but also causes the heating of the sheath due to friction, which can negatively affect the Work of ship systems. Be that as it may, the wind speed in huge dusty storms is lower than on Earth: Mars's atmosphere is much thinner, and the wind does not develop speed above 90-120 km / h. In addition, due to a rarefied atmosphere, even the fastest hurricane will be felt like a wind at a speed of about 16 km / h on Earth, as Steve Hoffman explains, an aerospace engineer in the Johnson Space Center NASA. "Such a wind is not a tip of a cosmonaut nor a rocket, he says. Nevertheless, the big storm can clog the slots in the trim of the ship and technique of garbage, leave solar panels without energy source and thus cause serious damage to the work of astronauts and rinsing. For example, Spirit and Opportunity Rovers in the dusty storm in 2007 were waiting for weeks, having the opportunity to recharge only within a few minutes a day when the storm looked and the sky briefly cleared.

The way that good astronauts will be able to prepare for a bore depends on the degree of their awareness. The earlier it will be possible to predict the arrival of the storm, the more chances they have to minimize the consequences of its destructive activities. One of the possible strategies can be a transition to alternative energy sources. Marshow CURIOSITY, for example, uses a radioisotope nutrition system to obtain energy from plutonium. There may be a good idea to splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, but, unfortunately, hydrogen is explosive, and Plutonium radioactive, so that none of these methods looks in the eyes of NASA is particularly attractive when we are talking About the expedition with live people. In addition, there is another danger: Martian dust contains toxic perchlorates and persulfates, which can penetrate the costumes (the dust is very small, so it is unlikely that even on board the shuttle, astronauts will be able to completely avoid contact with it in one way or another). "Any hatches, ducts, rotating suites and gaps can become a gate for dust, which can lead to a banal mechanical wear of the equipment," shares Hoffman.

Last year, James Shirley investigated how Mars's rotation around the center Solar system It may be associated with the occurrence of dust storms. It may seem surprising, but the center of the system is not always the sun, although the luminais is not distinguished from it. Miscellaneous planets sometimes fascinates a star behind him, so she stays in permanent motion. Mars are involved in this process, and scientists believe that it is the approach and distance of the planet from the Sun and forces the atmosphere that heightened, then cool, why the storms occur with the periodic frequency. They simulated the planetary dust motion cycles and made sure that eight of the nine large dust storms that took place for lately, approximately matched expected forecasts. This knowledge will help not only space expeditions, but may also be useful for earthly conditions: Shirley is confident that, studying physical phenomena on Mars, scientists will be able to relate them to similar processes on Earth.

For more than a hundred years, for more than a hundred years, science fiction writers have been trying to imagine what the lives of astronauts on Mars would look like. But, as humanity becomes all more and more aware of Martian conditions, the description of life on Mars Scientific fictions are becoming more Realistic. Of the recent - the film "Martian", which is based on the Sci-fantastic Roman Andy Wira. The main character "Martian" due to unforeseen circumstances remains one on the red planet and begins to fight for survival. And at the beginning of the 20th century, the American author Edgar Rice Burrows has already been dreaming for Mars. In fairness It is worth saying that the Red Planet has so captured people, so she released a series of stories even the famous theologian and author of fantasy stories Clive Steiplz Lewis. It was he who created the cycle "Chronicles of Narnia".

Presentation of the artist about how the dust storm on Mars is coming to the research station. Such phenomena on the red planet may be accompanied by discharges of atmospheric electricity. Source: NASA.

The novel "Martian" begins with a huge sandy storm, which damages the transmitting antenna and part of the equipment, which is why the fictional character of the Mark Sens remains on Mars, while other members of the mission fly away by considering it dead. Such a development of events looks very believable, since Mars ZN Amenit with its very active sandy storms, which sometimes become so big that they can be observed in the telescopes on Earth.

"Every year a moderately large sandy storms arise on Mars, which cover areas with dimensions with the earth's continent and last for weeks after their formation. But approximately every three Martian years (5.5 of the Earth), ordinary hurricanes turn into gigantic storms that can enhance the entire planet, "Michael CM IT, a planetist from the center of NASA space flights.

Scientists consider unlikely that even the planetary sandy storms on Mars will be able to lead to severe consequences. Even the strongest winds that are blowing at this time, they will not be able to destroy or even overturn specially deployed mechanical equipment. The wind in the most powerful Martian hurricanes reaches speeds of approximately a hundred kilometers per hour, it is more than half the speed of some hurricanes on Earth. That is why focus only only at the wind speed. Atmospheric density Mars is about one percent pLatmosphere Earth. This means that in order to launch a globe snake on a red planet, the wind must blow much stronger.

"The main difference between the land and Mars is that the atmospheric pressure on Mars is much less. Thus, things and items can be carried out from its surface, but not with the same force, as on Earth, "William Farrell, a physicist studying the plasma.

Problems of solar energy

But be that as it may, Mars's sandy storms are not completely harmless. Separate dust particles on the red planet are very small and slightly electrostatic, so they are able to "stick" to different surfaces.

"If you ever paid attention to the pictures of the Marshod Curiosity, it can be noted that after each trip it becomes very dirty. Dust covers almost everything. It even penetrates mechanisms and appliances, "Michael CM IT.

Such a dust ability to penetrate everywhere and everywhere is the main problem for engineers designing equipment for Martian Rovers. This is especially a big problem for solar batteries. Even if the device falls into a very small dust storm or twisting, sizes of just a few meters, the wind can transfer enough dust that to cover photoelectric converters and significantly reduce the useful surface capable of converting sunny energy in electric. If you turn everything to the same "Martian", then the brand is spending every day a certain timeTo clear the solar panel to guarantee their maximum performance.

This image of the Opportunity mercier himself performed three weeks before his ten-year anniversary of work on Mars. Pancam panoramic camera performed the shooting of the Rover from 3 to 6 January 2014. Pay attention to how the solar batteries drank. Source: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Cornell Univ./arizona State Univ.

Global hurricanes can create a secondary problem that cannot be solved by simply fading dust from the surface. The atmosphere may be permanently so the amount of dust, which will be blocked by some part of sunlight, and, therefore, the efficiency of solar cells will decrease. In the book, when the astronaut is first faced with a big sandstorm, he immediately notices a slight decrease in the effectiveness of its batteries caused by a slight dimming of the atmosphere. This is a fairly accurate description of what researchers may encounter during real Martian expeditions.

"Currently we are very concerned about the power consumption of our rinsing. Spirit and Opportunity Rovers went down to the surface in 2004, so they have already survived only one global hurricane in 2007, because of which they had to stop working and go to waiting time for several weeks, "continues Michael CM IT.

Dusty bustle

As mentioned, global sandstairs raise enough dust into the air to fully cover the planet and close the sun, but in this way Hurricane itself also becomes damped for disappearance. The fact is that the main mechanism leading all these hurricanes is the high temperature of sunlight, which reaches the surface of the planet. Since light falls on the ground, so it warms the air located close to its surface, leaving the upper layers of cooler. Just like on Earth during thunderstorms, warm and cold air, mixing, become unstable, warm layers begin to rise, carrying out due to instability and dust particles. It is from such small twists and formed all those strange dust "ghosts", seen on some images of Mars. Then the storms of moderate sizes are formed, then the size of the continent. Sometimes such large hurricanes can be united in one global whirlwind, which just covers the entire planet dust.

Researchers and planetologists definably determined that large hurricanes usually occur during the summer in the southern hemisphere of Mars. It is known that on the red planet, as well as on earth, the time of the year is shown, which is caused by the inclination of the axis of rotation of the planet. But due to the fact that the orbit of Mars has a greater eccentricity than the Earth's orbita, the Red Planet moves along a more elliptical orbit. The minimum rapprochement with the Sun just coincides with the summer period in the southern hemisphere, and, consequently, the temperature values \u200b\u200bare the largest then. After the hurricane begins, it does not subscribe for weeks and even months. But scientists are still inseparal than exactly due to such large gaps between hurricanes.

A dust whirlwind fixed on Mars Chamber Hirise orbital station Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This scene is captured during the daytime late Martian spring. The frame covers an area of \u200b\u200b644 meters. Judging by the shade, which the whirlwind discardes to the surface, it was possible to establish that it can reach 800 meters in height, and its diameter is about 30 meters.

NASA told the truth and fiction about the dangers of dust storms on Mars, some of which can be noticeable from ground telescopes. This information was used to create a new film "Martian" director Ridley Scott. This is reported on the site NASA.

Dust "Tail" (photo: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Arizona)

The events of the film "Martian", which will be released on the screens in October 2015, begin with the fact that the Hero Andy Wira (Astronaut Mark Whitney) faces a strong dust storm. It breaks the transmitting antenna and destroys a part of the camp. NASA does not deny that dust storms are one of the unpleasant features of the Red Planet.

"Each year on Mars, moderately large dust storms are observed, which embrace areas of the earth's continent and last weeks," said Planetist Michael Smith from the Center for Space Flights of Goddard Nasa in Greenbel (Maryland).

Meanwhile, on the Red Planet, as the scientist noted, there are also much stronger storms. Global dust storms are formed from moderately large and manifest themselves on average every three Martian years (about 5.5 Earth years corresponds to this).

However, as the scientist notes, it is unlikely that these dust storms can even disturb the hair of the astronaut on the red planet (if the latter decides to remove the skateman). In addition, even global dust storms are most likely not able to overturn or destroy any equipment.

This is due to the fact that the speed of the strongest winds on Mars does not exceed 27 meters per second, which is more than twice less speed Some hurricane winds on Earth. In addition, the density of the Martian atmosphere is a hundred times less than the earthly.

Dust after a storm in 2008 closed the Spirit panels (Photo: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Cornell)

"The main difference between the land and Mars is that the atmospheric pressure on the red planet is much less," said Specialist in the field of plasma physics William Farrell. "Thus, all [particles in the atmosphere of Mars] becomes wind, but not with the same intensity [compared to land]," he added.

However, dust storms on Mars are not completely harmless. Separate small dust particles can carry an electrostatic charge and "stick" to surfaces, in particular, the portholes and mechanical parts of the scientific equipment.

Neutralization of electrostatic charges and eliminating dust pollution is one of the main tasks that engineers are solved, designing equipment for Mars research.

This dust is a large problem for solar batteries. Even small dust storms are capable of carrying enough particles on the solar panels in order to significantly reduce the flow of solar energy.

In the film Martian Astronavt Whitney eliminates dust pollution from solar panels daily. NASA also notes that global storms on Mars can also lead to some dimming atmosphere of the Red Planet.

"We really worried about the energy of rinsing. Spirit and Opportunity Rovers, which landed on Mars in 2004, had only experienced a global storm (in 2007), and, mostly, they stopped their work for several weeks and moved to survival regime, "said Smith.

Most often, global dust storms on Mars occur in the summer time in the southern hemisphere of the planet. As on earth, the seasons on the red planet are due to its inclination to the orbit plane. However, the orbit of Mars is more elongated than that of the Earth, which means that during the Martian year one of the sides of the planet is heavily stronger than the other.

NASA told the truth and fiction about the dangers of dust storms on Mars, some of them may be noticeable from ground telescopes. This information was used to create a new film "Martian" director Ridley Scott. This is reported on the NASA website.

"Every year, moderately large dust storms are observed on Mars, which covers areas of the earth's continent and last weeks," said Michael Smith Planetist from the center space flights Goddarda Nasa in Greenbelte (Maryland).

Meanwhile on the Red Planet, as the scientist noted, there are also much stronger storms. Global dust storms are formed from moderately large and manifest themselves on average every three Martian years (about 5.5 Earth years corresponds to this).

This is due to the fact that the speed of the strongest winds on Mars does not exceed 27 meters per second, which below the speed of some hurricane winds on Earth more than twice. In addition, the density of the Martian atmosphere is a hundred times less than the earthly.

"The main difference between the land and Mars is that the atmospheric pressure on the Red Planet is much smaller, - said a specialist in the field of plasma physics William Farrell." Thus, all particles in the atmosphere of Mars become wind, but not with the same intensity [by compared to land] ".

However, dust storms on Mars are not completely harmless. Separate small dust particles can carry electrostatic charge and "stick" to surfaces, in particular the portholes and mechanical parts of scientific equipment.

Neutralization of electrostatic charges and eliminating dust pollution is one of the main tasks that engineers are solved, designing equipment for Mars research.

This dust is a big problem for solar batteries. Even small dust storms are capable of carrying enough particles on the solar panels in order to significantly reduce the flow of solar energy.

In the film "Martian" Astronaut Whitney every day eliminates dust pollution from solar panels. NASA also notes that global storms on Mars can also lead to some dimming atmosphere of the Red Planet.

"We really worried about the energy of rinsing. Spirit and Opportunity Rovers, which landed on Mars in 2004, only once experienced a global storm (in 2007) and for several weeks stopped their work, going to the survival regime, "Smith said.

Most often, global dust storms on Mars occur in the summer time in the southern hemisphere of the planet. As on earth, the seasons on the red planet are due to its inclination to the orbit plane. However, the orbit of Mars is more stretched compared to the Earth, which means that during the Martian year one of the sides of the planet is heavily stronger than the other.

Meanwhile, scientists are not yet known the true cause of long intervals between storms. Observations are held since 1909, when the global storm was first observed on the red planet. Last time This natural phenomenon was noticed in 2007. Scientists hope in the near future to observe him again.

Planet Mars, like another close neighbor of the Earth, Venus, since the time of antiquity is subjected to the most close study of astronomers. The visible and naked eye, she was shrouded in the mystery, legends and speculation. And today about the Red Planet, we are not known everything, however, many information obtained in the centuries of observation and study dispelled some myths, helped a person to understand many processes occurring on this space object. Temperature on Mars, the composition of its atmosphere, the features of the movement in orbit after improving technical methods Research and starts of the space era managed to move from the category of assumptions in the rank of indisputable facts. Nevertheless, many data on simultaneously so close and so far is still to be explained.

Fourth

Mars is located one and a half times further from the Sun than our planet (the distance is 268 million km). In this parameter, it ranks fourth. The orbit of the Red Planet lies the main belt of asteroids and "possession" of Jupiter. Around our shining she flies around 687 days. At the same time, the orbit of Mars is strongly stretched: it is located at a distance of 206.7, and aphelii - 249.2 million km. And the day lasts here just almost 40 minutes longer than on Earth: 24 hours and 37 minutes.

Little brother

Mars refers to the planets of the earth group. The basic substances that make up its structure are metals and silicon. Among similar objects in their dimensions, he is ahead of only Mercury. The diameter of the red planet is 6786 kilometers, which is about two times less than that of the Earth. However, by mass Mars is inferior to our space house 10 times. The area of \u200b\u200bthe entire surface of the planet slightly exceeds the area of \u200b\u200bearthly continents, taken away, without taking into account the exploits of the World Ocean. The density here is also lower - is only 3.93 kg / m 3.

Searches for life

Despite the obvious difference between Mars from the Earth, for a long time he was considered a real candidate for the title of the inhabited planet. Prior to the beginning of the space era, scientists who observed the reddish surface of this cosmic body into the telescope periodically discovered signs of life, which soon, though they found a more prosaic explanation.

Over time, conditions under which at least the simplest organisms could appear are clearly defined. These include certain temperature parameters and water availability. Many studies of the Red Planet were aimed at discovering whether the appropriate climate was there, and if possible, find traces of life.

Temperature on Mars

Red planet - non-shit peace. Significant remoteness from the Sun significantly affects climatic conditions This cosmic body. Temperature on Mars Celsius varies on average from -155º to + 20º. It is much colder here than on Earth, because one and a half times the further, the sun warms the surface half weaker. These not the most favorable conditions are exacerbated by a rarefied atmosphere that is well transmitting radiation, as is known, destructive for all living things.

Such facts reduce to a minimum chances to detect traces of existing or once extinct organisms on Mars. However, the point in this question is not yet delivered.

Defining factors

The temperature on Mars, as well as on Earth, depends on the position of the planet relative to the shining. The maximum indicator (20-33º) is observed in the day in the area of \u200b\u200bthe equator. Minimum values \u200b\u200b(up to -155º) are achieved near the southern pole. For the entire territory, the planet is characterized by significant temperature fluctuations.

These differences affect both the climatic features of Mars and its appearance. The main, noticeable even from the ground, the detail of its surface is the polar caps. As a result of significant heating in the summer and cooling in the winter period, they undergo tangible changes: they decrease up to almost completely disappearance, then again increase.

Is there a water on Mars?

When summer comes in one of the hemispheres, the corresponding polar hat begins to decrease in size. Due to the orientation of the axis of the planet during its approaching the perigel point to the sun, the Southern Half appeals to the sun. As a result, the summer here is somewhat hotter, and the polar hat disappears almost completely. In the north of such an effect is not observed.

Changes in the size of polar hats pushed scientists to the idea that they consist of not quite ordinary ice. At present, the data allowed to make the assumption that a considerable role in their formation is played by carbon dioxide, which in large quantities contains the atmosphere of Mars. In the cold season, the temperature here reaches a mark at which it usually turns into the so-called dry ice. It is he who begins to melt with the arrival of summer. The water, according to scientists, is also present on the planet and is that part of the polar caps, which remains unchanged and with an increase in temperature (heating is insufficient for its disappearance).

Planet Mars does not boast the presence of the main source of life in a liquid state. Hope on its discovery for a long time, sections of the relief were instilled, very resembling the river beds. Until then, it is not clear that it could lead to their formation, if there was never liquid water on the red planet. The atmosphere of Mars is testified in favor of the "dry" past. Its pressure is so insignificant that the boiling point of water falls on the unusual low temperature for the earth, that is, it can exist here only in a gaseous state. Theoretically, Mars could have a more dense atmosphere, but then traces in the form of severe inert gases would remain. However, they have not yet been discovered.

Winds and storms

The temperature on Mars, more precisely, its drops leads to a rapid movement of air masses in a hemisphere where winter has come. Winds arising from this, reach 170 m / s. On Earth, such phenomena would be accompanied by shoes, but the red planet does not have sufficient water reserves for this. Here there are dust storms, so large-scale that sometimes covered the entire planet. The rest of the time there is almost always clear weather (for the formation of a significant amount of clouds, water is also needed) and very transparent air.

Despite the relatively small size of Mars and his unsuitability for life, scientists connect great hopes with him. Here in the future it is planned to accommodate bases for mining and implementing various scientific activity. How real are such projects, while it is difficult to say, however, the continuous development of the technique testifies in favor of the fact that in a short time, humanity will be able to embody the most courageous ideas.