This is the dust storm left by Mars in the dark

The astrophotographer Damian Peach created an animation that shows the dramatic effects of the storm of global dust which sank the surface marciana deep in the dark

The animation was created using my image of June 28 taken in Chile using a 1 meter telescope and the map of MGS base of the exact same length, says Peach. Space.com by email.

"I combined them carefully to show a gradual change in the normal and clear vision of this hemisphere to the way it now appears" adds Peach. "It shows the large-scale gradation due to airborne dust".

Peach posted the image online on Twitter. The storm of dust began as a phenomenon located at the end of May, but developed incredibly rapidly.

The third week of June, the storm had become an event of planetary circles, and continues today. It's a shame for amateur astronomers who were expecting to have a good view of Mars through their telescopes later this month, when the planet makes its closest approach of the Earth since 2003.

at least in a few months for Mars to regain its normal appearance, as long as more local dust storms do not develop (which is possible since we are in the season on Mars where the episodes of dust are common)

The storm also creates problems for NASA's solar-powered Opportunity rover, which has been quiet for weeks, unable to recharge their batteries.

rovers drivers expressed optimism that Opportunity will be able to overcome the dust storm, but their anxiety will not go away until the robot The six-wheeler end up returning home

The dust storm is a nuisance rather than an existential threat to the other active Martian explorer of NASA, Curiosity, who exploits nuclear power

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• Planetary Phenomenon
• Storm
• Powder
• Mars
• Darkness