Latest news with #dust
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
UAE weather tomorrow: Dusty conditions, strong winds expected
UAE residents will wake up to a fair to partly cloudy day on Sunday, JUne 1, which could get dusty at times, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The wind is also likely to gradually strengthen during the day, reaching up to 40kmph, leading to low visibility. "Light to moderate Northwesterly winds, freshening at times, will cause blowing dust and sand, and reducing the horizontal visibility at times over some exposed areas," the NCM forecast said. It added that wind speed will vary from 15kmph–30kmph to 40 kmph. Further, the weather will get humid by night and Monday morning over some coastal and internal areas with a chance of fog or mist formation. The sea conditions are expected to be moderate, with occasionally becoming rough westward in the Arabian Gulf and slight in Oman Sea.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Scientists reveal research that could change theories about life on Mars
New research has challenged a long held theory about a peculiar Martian landmark, potentially changing the way scientists understand the red planet's capacity to sustain life. The findings call into question the theory that dark streaks on Martian slopes indicate the presence of liquid water, suggesting instead that these features are the result of dry processes. A study of roughly half a million of these streaks, captured in satellite imagery dating back to the 1970s, points to the accumulation and movement of dust as the likely culprit, reinforcing the image of Mars as a dry, inhospitable planet. Scientists analysed approximately 87,000 satellite images, including data from NASA 's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, focusing on these transient streaks. Co-leader of the study Adomas Valantinas said: "The tiny dust particles can create flow-like patterns without liquid. This phenomenon occurs because extremely fine dust can behave similarly to a liquid when disturbed - flowing, branching and creating finger-like patterns as it moves downslope" The postdoctoral researcher in planetary sciences at Brown University added: "It's similar to how dry sand can flow like water when poured. But on Mars, the ultra-fine particles and low gravity enhance these fluid-like properties, creating features that might be mistaken for water flows when they're actually just dry material in motion." The streaks, which appear suddenly and fade over several years, typically measure between 1,970 and 2,540 feet long and often exhibit branching patterns as they navigate around obstacles. The study proposes that fine dust particles from the Martian atmosphere settle on sloped terrain. Events like wind gusts, meteorite impacts, or marsquakes then dislodge this accumulated dust, causing it to flow down the slopes, creating the streaked appearance. This contradicts previous interpretations that considered these streaks as potential signs of liquid water flows, and therefore, possible habitats for life. The streaks are predominantly located in the northern hemisphere of Mars, clustered in three main regions: Elysium Planitia, Arabia Terra, and the Tharsis volcanic plateau, home to the immense Olympus Mons volcano. Researchers said limitations in the resolution of the satellite images mean they account for only a fraction of slope streaks. They estimated the actual number at up to two million. Water is considered an essential ingredient for life. Mars billions of years ago was wetter and warmer than it is today. The question remains whether Mars has any liquid water on its surface when temperatures seasonally can edge above the freezing point. It remains possible that small amounts of water - perhaps sourced from buried ice, subsurface aquifers or abnormally humid air - could mix with enough salt in the ground to create a flow even on the frigid Martian surface. That raises the possibility that the slope streaks, if caused by wet conditions, could be habitable niches. "Generally, it is very difficult for liquid water to exist on the Martian surface, due to the low temperature and the low atmospheric pressure. But brines - very salty water - might potentially be able to exist for short periods of time," said planetary geomorphologist and study co-leader Valentin Bickel of the University of Bern in Switzerland. Given the massive volume of images, the researchers employed an advanced machine-learning method, looking for correlations involving temperature patterns, atmospheric dust deposition, meteorite impacts, the nature of the terrain and other factors. The geostatistical analysis found that slope streaks often appear in the dustiest regions and correlate with wind patterns, while some form near the sites of fresh impacts and quakes. The researchers also studied shorter-lived features called recurring slope lineae, or RSL, seen primarily in the Martian southern highlands. These grow in the summer and fade the following winter. The data suggested that these also were associated with dry processes such as dust devils - whirlwinds of dust - and rockfalls. The analysis found that both types of features were not typically associated with factors indicative of a liquid or frost origin such as high surface temperature fluctuations, high humidity or specific slope orientations. "It all comes back to habitability and the search for life," Bickel said. "If slope streaks and RSL would really be driven by liquid water or brines, they could create a niche for life. However, if they are not tied to wet processes, this allows us to focus our attention on other, more promising locations."
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Major theory about potential for life on Mars called into question by researchers
New research has challenged a long held theory about a peculiar Martian landmark, potentially changing the way scientists understand the red planet's capacity to sustain life. The findings call into question the theory that dark streaks on Martian slopes indicate the presence of liquid water, suggesting instead that these features are the result of dry processes. A study of roughly half a million of these streaks, captured in satellite imagery dating back to the 1970s, points to the accumulation and movement of dust as the likely culprit, reinforcing the image of Mars as a dry, inhospitable planet. Scientists analysed approximately 87,000 satellite images, including data from NASA 's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, focusing on these transient streaks. Co-leader of the study Adomas Valantinas said: "The tiny dust particles can create flow-like patterns without liquid. This phenomenon occurs because extremely fine dust can behave similarly to a liquid when disturbed - flowing, branching and creating finger-like patterns as it moves downslope" The postdoctoral researcher in planetary sciences at Brown University added: "It's similar to how dry sand can flow like water when poured. But on Mars, the ultra-fine particles and low gravity enhance these fluid-like properties, creating features that might be mistaken for water flows when they're actually just dry material in motion." The streaks, which appear suddenly and fade over several years, typically measure between 1,970 and 2,540 feet long and often exhibit branching patterns as they navigate around obstacles. The study proposes that fine dust particles from the Martian atmosphere settle on sloped terrain. Events like wind gusts, meteorite impacts, or marsquakes then dislodge this accumulated dust, causing it to flow down the slopes, creating the streaked appearance. This contradicts previous interpretations that considered these streaks as potential signs of liquid water flows, and therefore, possible habitats for life. The streaks are predominantly located in the northern hemisphere of Mars, clustered in three main regions: Elysium Planitia, Arabia Terra, and the Tharsis volcanic plateau, home to the immense Olympus Mons volcano. Researchers said limitations in the resolution of the satellite images mean they account for only a fraction of slope streaks. They estimated the actual number at up to two million. Water is considered an essential ingredient for life. Mars billions of years ago was wetter and warmer than it is today. The question remains whether Mars has any liquid water on its surface when temperatures seasonally can edge above the freezing point. It remains possible that small amounts of water - perhaps sourced from buried ice, subsurface aquifers or abnormally humid air - could mix with enough salt in the ground to create a flow even on the frigid Martian surface. That raises the possibility that the slope streaks, if caused by wet conditions, could be habitable niches. "Generally, it is very difficult for liquid water to exist on the Martian surface, due to the low temperature and the low atmospheric pressure. But brines - very salty water - might potentially be able to exist for short periods of time," said planetary geomorphologist and study co-leader Valentin Bickel of the University of Bern in Switzerland. Given the massive volume of images, the researchers employed an advanced machine-learning method, looking for correlations involving temperature patterns, atmospheric dust deposition, meteorite impacts, the nature of the terrain and other factors. The geostatistical analysis found that slope streaks often appear in the dustiest regions and correlate with wind patterns, while some form near the sites of fresh impacts and quakes. The researchers also studied shorter-lived features called recurring slope lineae, or RSL, seen primarily in the Martian southern highlands. These grow in the summer and fade the following winter. The data suggested that these also were associated with dry processes such as dust devils - whirlwinds of dust - and rockfalls. The analysis found that both types of features were not typically associated with factors indicative of a liquid or frost origin such as high surface temperature fluctuations, high humidity or specific slope orientations. "It all comes back to habitability and the search for life," Bickel said. "If slope streaks and RSL would really be driven by liquid water or brines, they could create a niche for life. However, if they are not tied to wet processes, this allows us to focus our attention on other, more promising locations."
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
9 Day Forecast: Strong winds blow into El Paso region
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — May has shaped up to be a wind-filled month and the Borderland region is not done yet with seeing dusty afternoons. For Saturday night, El Paso is looking at a low near 64 with winds decreasing to 10-15 mph after midnight. Gusts will still be in the lower 30s range along with partly cloudy skies. On Sunday, the day will begin sunny but as wind speeds gain strength, much of the area will experience hazy, dusty conditions in the afternoon. A high near 92 is expected along with gusts near 40 mph. Temperatures will drop near 62 overnight and wind speeds will decrease to 15-20 mph after midnight. Gusts will still be near 40 mph. The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for Monday due to the strong winds the area will see for the start of the workweek. Along with a high near 87, blowing dust will pick up in the afternoon with winds blowing 20-25 mph, and gusts reaching speeds near 40 mph. Overnight, conditions will clear up as the temperature drops to the upper 50s and wind gusts reduce to the lower 30s range. The rest of the week is on the calmer end, with lighter winds expected on Tuesday. The day will be sunny with a high near 86 and a low around 62. Winds will come from the north around 5-10 mph, becoming west around noon. Wednesday is shaping up to have similar, but warmer conditions — high near 92 and low around 66 along with mostly sunny skies. Calm winds will blow in the 5-10 mph range. Thursday forward, El Paso is heating up on its way to the first possible 100 degree high of the year. A high in the upper 90s will begin the hot streak with a low near 68. Friday through Sunday, the highs can potentially hit and even go slightly higher than 100. Lows will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s range with sunny to mostly sunny skies. Be sure to stay hydrated on these days and wear sunscreen if you're heading outdoors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
