Scientists track ‘dust devils’ bouncing around on surface of Mars

The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on board ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) captured these three dust devils tracking across the martian surface on 8 November 2021 - (ESA/TGO/CaSSIS)

Dust devils whirling across Mars show that the wind on the planet can reach up to 160 kilometres per hour, according to a new study.

Researchers used the European Space Agency’s Mars Expressand ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft to examine 1039 tornado-like whirlwinds as they swept across the red planet.