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First Direct Evidence Of Lightning On Mars Detected
ScienceDaily ^ | (July 1, 2009) | staff

Posted on 07/01/2009 6:16:55 AM PDT by saganite

For the first time, direct evidence of lightning has been detected on Mars, say University of Michigan researchers who found signs of electrical discharges during dust storms on the Red Planet.

The bolts were dry lightning, says Chris Ruf, a professor in the departments of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.

"What we saw on Mars was a series of huge and sudden electrical discharges caused by a large dust storm," Ruf said. "Clearly, there was no rain associated with the electrical discharges on Mars. However, the implied possibilities are exciting."

Electric activity in Martian dust storms has important implications for Mars science, the researchers say.

"It affects atmospheric chemistry, habitability and preparations for human exploration. It might even have implications for the origin of life, as suggested by experiments in the 1950s," said Nilton Renno, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences.

The findings are based on observations made using an innovative microwave detector developed at the U-M Space Physics Research Laboratory. The kurtosis detector, which is capable of differentiating between thermal and non-thermal radiation, took measurements of microwave emissions from Mars for approximately five hours a day for 12 days between May 22 and June 16, 2006.

department.

(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: astronomy; catastrophism; mars; science; space

1 posted on 07/01/2009 6:16:55 AM PDT by saganite
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To: saganite

Wow! Static electricity exists beyond the earth. Imagine that!


2 posted on 07/01/2009 6:19:21 AM PDT by Islander7 (If you want to anger conservatives, lie to them. If you want to anger liberals, tell them the truth.)
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To: Admin Moderator

There was a time on this forum where something besides politics was considered news. Now anything not associated with Obama is relegated to chat.


3 posted on 07/01/2009 6:21:55 AM PDT by saganite (What would Sully do?)
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To: Islander7

Impossible! The Bible says that lightning occurs in the skies.


4 posted on 07/01/2009 6:22:02 AM PDT by CholeraJoe (So close to Postal.)
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To: saganite

Shocking bit of news .... LOL


5 posted on 07/01/2009 6:27:52 AM PDT by mgc1122
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To: saganite

“Call Me Lightning”- The Who

See that girl who’s smiling so brightly,
Well I reckon she’s cool and I reckon rightly,
She’s good looking and I ain’t frightened,
I’m gonna show you why they call me lightning.

Hey little girl who’s dancing so lightly,
My XKE is shining so brightly,
The noose around us is slowly tightening,
I’m gonna show you why they call me lightning.

You can’t catch me, I’m as fast as can be,
Call me lightning, I’m as fast as can be,
No you can’t catch me, no you can’t catch me.


6 posted on 07/01/2009 6:32:11 AM PDT by LRS (Just contracts; just laws; just a constitution...)
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To: saganite
Secret Mutant Wars on Mars is what it is, man.


7 posted on 07/01/2009 7:45:57 AM PDT by Costumed Vigilante (Congress: When a handful of evil morons just isn't enough)
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To: saganite

8 posted on 07/01/2009 8:07:12 AM PDT by paulycy (Liberal DOUBLE-STANDARDS are HATE crimes.)
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To: Costumed Vigilante

“Make me feel good !”


9 posted on 07/01/2009 9:49:56 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: Swordmaker; Fred Nerks; 75thOVI; aimhigh; Alice in Wonderland; AndrewC; aragorn; aristotleman; ...
 
Catastrophism
 
· join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic ·

10 posted on 07/01/2009 2:18:34 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: SunkenCiv
The Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences...

are catching up with THUNDERBOLTS LATEST NEWS ARE THEY?

Oct 03, 2005 Lightning Strike on Mars

New craters on Mars show the unmistakable signature of electrical discharge and confirm the ongoing electrical activity of the solar system.

11 posted on 07/01/2009 2:53:15 PM PDT by Fred Nerks (FAIR DINKUM!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Oooooo...
*ssssss*

Hot!


12 posted on 07/01/2009 3:01:33 PM PDT by Monkey Face (RUN, SARAH, RUN! ~~ (Borrowed from redhead))
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To: saganite

"Oh, Rat Farts!"

13 posted on 07/01/2009 3:04:34 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: saganite

More junk science ....


14 posted on 07/02/2009 6:24:31 AM PDT by Scythian
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To: Scythian

Ah, no. Not junk science but I guess that would depend on whether you even know what science is. Some here apparently don’t.


15 posted on 07/02/2009 1:04:37 PM PDT by saganite (What would Sully do?)
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