Updated on Wednesday, July 01, 2009, 10:43 IST

Washington, July 01: Astronomers have detected what they claim is the first direct evidence of lightning on Mars, which are in fact signs of electrical discharges during dust storms on the Red Planet.

A team at Michigan University has based its findings on observations made using an innovative microwave detector which they've developed at Space Physics Research Laboratory in the varsity.

Prof Chris Ruf, who led the team, said that the bolts were dry lightning.

"What we saw on Mars was a series of huge and sudden electrical discharges caused by a large dust storm. Clearly, there's no rain associated with electrical discharges on Mars.

However, the implied possibilities are exciting," he said.

Electric activity in Martian dust storms has important implications for Mars science, according to the astronomers.

"It affects atmospheric chemistry, habitability and preparations for human exploration. It might have implications for the origin of life even as suggested by experiments in the 1950s," said Prof Nilton Renno, a team member.

In fact, using the kurtosis detector, the astronomers took measurements of microwave emissions from Mars for almost five hours a day for 12 days between May 22 and June 16, 2006.

On June 8, 2006 both an unusual pattern of non-thermal radiation and an intense Martian dust storm occurred, the only time non-thermal radiation was detected. Non-thermal radiation would suggest the presence of lightning.

Bureau Report