Overview
- A Nature study reports 55 candidate events in Perseverance’s SuperCam audio and electromagnetic data that match centimetre‑ to millimetre‑scale discharges generated by charged dust.
- The signals were typically tied to dust devils and storm fronts, with an electromagnetic blip followed milliseconds later by a faint acoustic pulse indicating nearby sparks.
- Researchers analysed about 28 hours of microphone recordings spanning two Martian years at Jezero Crater and reproduced similar signatures in laboratory tests with instrument replicas.
- Scientists caution that the events were not visually observed, so debate over whether to label them lightning continues and confirmation will require dedicated sensors and cameras.
- The discharges could influence atmospheric chemistry by destroying organics, help explain rapid methane loss, and pose long‑term considerations for rover electronics and future spacesuits.