2 years, 2 months ago
What do the sand dunes on Mars look like? Are the dunes shifting?
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M$1 Answer
The dunes in fact are changing! They are doing so at such a rate scientist are very excited about it!
"Ripples of sand sculpted by wind on the Martian surface soar higher than their terrestrial counterparts in relation to the distance between each one, a new study shows. While several conditions might contribute to the difference, observations of Mars are not yet fine enough to tell exactly what's going on."
A combination of strong winds with less gravity cause them to grow at the rate they are. Scientists also belive that unlike the fine sand we have on earth, the sand on mars in much heavier and more like small rocks.
Quote : "Murilo Almeida and his team have found that when blown around on the surface of Mars, grains of sand “bounce” much higher than their terrestrial counterparts. In fact, they bounce 100 times higher and further. They are also blown 10 times faster. This has the effect of producing a series of sand dunes with very long wavelengths." 1
Hope this helps
If you check out the link below it will take you to a very interesting article about the phenomenon. ( pictures are included
"Ripples of sand sculpted by wind on the Martian surface soar higher than their terrestrial counterparts in relation to the distance between each one, a new study shows. While several conditions might contribute to the difference, observations of Mars are not yet fine enough to tell exactly what's going on."
A combination of strong winds with less gravity cause them to grow at the rate they are. Scientists also belive that unlike the fine sand we have on earth, the sand on mars in much heavier and more like small rocks.
Quote : "Murilo Almeida and his team have found that when blown around on the surface of Mars, grains of sand “bounce” much higher than their terrestrial counterparts. In fact, they bounce 100 times higher and further. They are also blown 10 times faster. This has the effect of producing a series of sand dunes with very long wavelengths." 1
Hope this helps
If you check out the link below it will take you to a very interesting article about the phenomenon. ( pictures are included
source(s):
Awesome link with pics
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_031110.html
1. Read more: http://www.astroengine.com/?p=210#ixzz0hJyfTOKG
Awesome link with pics
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_031110.html
1. Read more: http://www.astroengine.com/?p=210#ixzz0hJyfTOKG
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M$
How often and how severe are the dust storms on Mars?
I would love to share pictures, if you click on the first link above, they have some great pics. In the mean time, I am going to figure out how to put up pics for you here!
dust storms are mostly in the summertime in the southern hemisphere of Mars.
"They show up most summers when sunlight beating down on the Red Planet heats the ground, altering atmospheric circulation"
http://www.spacetoday.org/SolSys/Mars/MarsThePlanet/MarsDustStorms.html
"Dunes of sand-sized materials have been trapped on the floors of many Martian craters. This is one example, from a crater in Noachis Terra, west of the giant Hellas impact basin"
Please answer my Australia questions. Search the word, "Australia"
Thanks for the pictures, they were amazing.
Will you show some pictures of Mars famous dunes?
No problem, next time you have a question, feel free to ask me!