Mars Dust Storms

[Ezlington]

I understand that the occasional planet-wide dust storms that occur on Mars are supposed to be precipitated by solar wind and they can last for some time.

What I don't understand is: that with Mars having such a thin atmosphere, what holds the dust particles up in "the air".

The only thing I can think producing this is that the dust particles and the planet could get a large electrical "charge" makeing the dust particles repel each other.

If that is the case, what would be the effect on any electrical equipment introduced to such a unipolar environment?

€zlington

[Littlemews]

What I don't understand is: that with Mars having such a thin atmosphere, what holds the dust particles up in "the air".

Its the heat (Sunlight) that holds the dust particles up... I think

The sun heating up Mars's Atmosphere and cause the air to move.

[damienpaul]

Its the heat (Sunlight) that holds the dust particles up... I think

The sun heating up Mars's Atmosphere and cause the air to move.

I think I read that somewhere

[Matthew]

Mars has seasons like Earth, but because of the elliptical orbit of Mars the length of the seasons and there intensity varies. The southern summer for Mars is 40% more intense than the northern summer. When it is a particularly hot southern spring/summer great duststorms are created.

[damienpaul]

I wonder what the effect of a Greenhouse Effect will be on Mars....