Weather
Mars's 2018 planetwide dust storm hints at possible solar influence on its weather
Key Points
Solar storms may affect weather on Mars when they strike at the same time as major Martian dust storms, a new study suggests for the first time. Researchers found evidence of rising temperatures in the red planet's lower atmosphere when the two events coincided—hinting that Mars may have a more complex atmospheric environment and weather system than previously thought.
Solar storms may affect weather on Mars when they strike at the same time as major Martian dust storms, a new study suggests for the first time. Researchers found evidence of rising temperatures in the red planet's lower atmosphere when the two events coincided—hinting that Mars may have a more complex atmospheric environment and weather system than previously thought.