Overview
- Analyzing 28 hours of SuperCam microphone data spanning two Martian years, researchers identified 55 electrical-discharge events concentrated during the strongest winds.
- Sixteen events coincided with two close dust-devil encounters, and many others aligned with dust-storm fronts, indicating a strong tie to dust-driven activity.
- The signals appear as a brief electromagnetic blip followed milliseconds later by a faint acoustic pulse, consistent with nearby centimeter- to millimeter-scale arcs rather than Earth-style lightning bolts.
- Laboratory tests using a SuperCam replica reproduced similar electronic and acoustic profiles, with most events carrying tiny energies and one larger discharge likely involving the rover itself.
- Scientists say the sparks could influence atmospheric chemistry and pose risks to sensitive electronics, while noting the evidence comes from a single instrument without visual confirmation and warrants purpose-built measurements.