NASA’s MAVEN detects first evidence of lightning-like activity on Mars

While sifting through the extensive data collected by NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft over the last decade, scientists discovered a familiar type of electromagnetic signal commonly caused by lightning. This rare find represents the first direct indication of lightning activity on Mars. The team recently published their findings in Science Advances, where they describe the event and why it’s so difficult to detect lightning-like activity on Mars.

Whistler waves for lightning detection

Whistler waves are low-frequency radio wave signals generated by lightning, which create an impulse that propagates through a planet’s magnetosphere, following along the magnetic field lines. The whistler waves disperse due to the slower velocity of the lower frequencies through the plasma of the ionosphere and magnetosphere. These waves are typical on Earth, but have also been observed on Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. All of these planets all possess strong magnetic fields and corresponding magnetospheres, facilitating the movement of whistler waves.

Mars, on the other hand, does not have a global, Earth-like magnetic field. This is because the internal activity that causes these magnetic fields ceased on Mars billions of years ago. This may contribute to the fact that lightning-like discharges in the Martian atmosphere have not yet been observed. But lightning-like activity on Mars is not impossible.

“Simulations and laboratory experiments suggest that electric discharges are likely to occur in Martian dust storms similar to those observed in terrestrial volcanic eruptions and dust devils. During dust storms, dust grains become electrically charged through collisions,” the study authors explain.

The team goes on to say that when combined with certain atmospheric conditions, these dust storms can generate electrical discharges. These have been confirmed in laboratory experiments. And although there is no global magnetic field, Mars does have localized crustal magnetic fields scattered across its surface. These tend to be much stronger in the southern hemisphere than the north. And so, whistler waves can potentially travel along these field lines when generated from lightning-like activity from dust storms.

A highly unlikely detection

Out of over 108,000 measurements from MAVEN, the team found a single frequency-dispersed whistler wave in Mars’ ionosphere. The snapshot showed a clear whistler event, lasting 0.4 seconds and spanning up to 110 Hz. The team conducted theoretical modeling that confirmed the plausibility of the wave propagation from the surface to the spacecraft. And although the team notes that they cannot pinpoint the exact location of the discharge or whether it came from a dust storm, they say that the data closely resembles that of lightning-generated whistler waves on Earth.

Because only one of these events has now been detected, it’s clear that lightning-like events on Mars are elusive. To catch even the one event, several conditions had to be met. For example, the localized magnetic field had to be strong enough and vertical in order to be detected by the orbiter. Specific ionospheric conditions were also required. On top of that, the measurement had to be taken from a very specific place (the side of Mars experiencing night conditions) at a specific time (when the magnetic field was oriented vertically).

The team writes, “We note that while nightside ionospheric conditions were present in about one-third of the analyzed wave snapshots, these high magnetic field inclinations are extremely rare; fewer than 1% of the investigated wave snapshots (679 in total) were measured at locations with these high values, and only 290 of them at SZA > 100°.

“This suggests that although lightning-like electric discharge processes can occur on Mars, the ionospheric properties often preclude the formation of a detectable whistler. In addition, the discharges themselves may be infrequent or weak, possibly due to additional processes hindering breakdown electric field generation.”

Thanks to MAVEN being in the right place at the right time, scientists now know a little more about conditions on Mars. This information can help plan future missions and contribute to our understanding of planetary atmospheres and comparative planetology.

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