Scientists at Nasa announced the detection of electrical discharges in Marte, recorded by the Perseverance rover during dust events. The signals were picked up by the vehicle’s SuperCam microphone on 55 occasions over two Martian years. Essa discovery clarifies the origin of oxidants in the planet’s atmosphere, such as hydrogen peroxide, identified since 2003.
Data analysis took place over 28 hours of recordings, concentrated in periods of strong winds and dust devils. Electrical events differ from terrestrial lightning, as Marte does not have water-laden clouds. Instead, friction between dust particles generates sparks, similar to static shocks in Terra.
This evidence arises from electromagnetic interference and recorded sound waves. The initial overshoot, a static spike of less than 40 microseconds, precedes an exponential drop in the signal. Then a real acoustic spike appears, caused by a modest shock wave from the discharge.
Accidental detection by microphone
The SuperCam’s microphone, designed to pick up laser sounds on rocks, revealed the electrical signals by chance. Baptiste Chide, of Institut of Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, led the team that identified the patterns. The recordings took place in the Jezero crater, where the rover has operated since 2021.
Sixteen events coincided with close passages of dust devils. Most discharges occurred during the 30% of strongest winds, linking them directly to local storm fronts.
🚨NASA claims to have found signs of microbial life on Marte. “There is no other explanation – this is a clear sign of Vida” said NASA Acting Administrator Sean P. Duffy.pic.twitter.com/kXxWxigBeN
—Astronomiaum (@astronomiaum)September 11, 2025
Differences between radii in Marte and Terra
The atmosphere of Marte, thin and composed mainly of carbon dioxide, facilitates discharges. The breaking threshold, or discharge point, is about 15 kilovolts per square meter, compared to 3 megavolts in the Terra. Essa low surface pressure, just 0.6% of that on Earth, reduces resistance to electrical flow.
Daniel Mitchard, physicist at Universidade of Elas measure millimeters and release energies of 0.1 to 150 nanojules, except one case of 40 millijoules, when the rover discharged to the ground.
The process of triboelectricity, or frictional charging, occurs in volcanic plumes at Terra, but at Marte it affects the global dust cycle. Isso creates a positive loop: static electricity lowers the minimum wind speed to stir up dust, intensifying storms.
Implications for surface chemistry
The discharges produce oxidants that react with organic molecules, potentially destroying evidence of ancient life. However, they also generate new organic compounds through chemical reactions. Áreas with more dust activity, such as the crater Gusev, exhibit 20 times more dust devils than Jezero, suggesting variations in the distribution of oxidants.
Laboratory experiments and computational models will be necessary to quantify the production of these oxidants. Regiões with fewer events, like Elysium Planitia, may better preserve biosignatures in future missions.
- Discharges were recorded in 54 of the 55 events during high winds.
- One occurred in calm conditions, possibly due to residual loading on the rover.
- Energies range from nanojules to millijoules, insufficient to damage armored equipment.
Connections to past and future missions
The 1971 Soviet mission Mars 3 failed after 20 seconds in a dust storm, possibly due to electrical discharges. The Perseverance, protected against kilovolt shocks, resisted without problems. Microphone’s Dados now guide designs for electronic boards and spacesuits for astronauts.
The rover’s cameras did not capture visual flashes, due to the brevity of the events and daytime dust. Capturas require high-speed cameras, which are currently absent. Franck Montmessin, from the French CNRS, notes that acoustic signals confirm the activity, but images would be the next step.
Ralph Lorenz, of Johns Hopkins University, compares the sounds to sparks popping in engines. The recordings include the noise of dust grains hitting the microphone, mixed with electrical clicks.
Potential in other worlds
Similar discharges can occur on Vênus, by dust, or on Titã, the moon of Saturno, by ice grains. In the Martian climate cycle, thousands of annual regional storms create electrified dust fronts across miles. Isso influences the elevation and transport of particles, shaping the local climate.
The study, published in Nature, is based on public data from Planetary Data System. Futuras analyzes will integrate MEDA instrument measurements of wind and dust to map global patterns.
This detection marks the first evidence of electrical activity on a rocky planet beyond Terra. Ela reinforces habitability models, warning about preserving samples in isolated tubes, such as those collected by Perseverance.
