Listen to the crackle of Martian ‘mini-lightning’

Researchers suspected, but have never detected, these zaps until now

A dust storm front rolls toward the right across a reddish, rocky landscape. An electrical arc is shown in the dust front.

When Martian winds loft dust into the air, interactions between the grains can generate electrical fields that eventually discharge electricity.

MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

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