Dust storm rages on Mars

[Starlyte]

A huge dust storm is raging over a third of Mars, obscuring many surface features. Experts hope it will subside by 27 August when Mars will be at its brightest and closer to Earth than it has ever been in recorded history.

The dust storm began in the Hellas basin, one of the lowest regions of Mars, and a frequent breeding ground for such events.

Since then, it has expanded with winds carrying dust into the thin atmosphere for several thousand kilometres.

Dust storms occur during most Martian southern hemisphere summers, because at that time of year sunlight is strong enough to heat the ground and alter atmospheric circulation.

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