Like tornadoes on Earth: NASA reveals images of dust devils in motion on Mars (photo).

NASA has unveiled a new image of Mars, capturing the ongoing activity of so-called dust devils swirling across the surface of the Red Planet. These massive dust vortices form, move across the terrain, and vanish, only to be replaced by similar phenomena, reports ScienceAlert.

The image was taken with the HiRISE camera mounted on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which orbits Mars. It displays the Martian surface where dust devils have left their mark on the landscape. Scientists are studying the movement trajectories and the rate at which dust accumulates on Mars, aiding them in better understanding the atmospheric processes on the Red Planet.

Mars is often referred to as the Red Planet due to its reddish hue, which is attributed to iron oxide in the soil. The Martian atmosphere is thin and primarily composed of carbon dioxide, contributing to a cold climate with an average temperature of about minus 60 degrees Celsius.

The surface of Mars is dotted with plains, extinct volcanoes, and extensive canyons. Geological data indicate that there was once liquid water and a denser atmosphere on Mars, suggesting the potential for past life.

The Martian atmosphere also contains small amounts of nitrogen, argon, and oxygen. This sparse atmosphere has a density of only about 1% that of Earth's atmosphere, making it impossible for humans to survive on the surface of the Red Planet without special shelters.

Despite its thin atmosphere, Mars has very active weather, and one of its most fascinating phenomena is the formation of dust devils. These swirling columns of dust and air resemble tornadoes on Earth.

Dust devils form when the Martian surface heats up, causing warm air to rise rapidly and draw dust particles into a rotating column. Dust devils can vary in size: from small, harmless whirlwinds to massive vortices a kilometer wide that can last for hours.

Dust devils help redistribute dust across the planet's surface, influencing its weather and even the Martian climate.

This atmospheric phenomenon can be beneficial for spacecraft on Mars, but it also poses risks. Dust vortices can lead to dust accumulation on the surfaces of machines, but they can also sweep dust away. Dust is particularly harmful to the solar panels of robotic devices, as it reduces the amount of sunlight received, which is essential for energy production.