Massive dust storms are robbing Mars of its water

Water vapor gets sucked up to high altitudes, allowing its hydrogen to escape into space

Mars

DUSTUP A dust storm (right) captured by the Mars Global Surveyor in 2001 swirls over much of the Red Planet. These storms are helping hydrogen from water vapor escape from the Red Planet, a new study finds.

MSSS/JPL-Caltech/NASA

Storms of powdery Martian soil are contributing to the loss of the planet’s remaining water.