Mystery of giant Mars dust storms that take over whole planet could finally be solved, new study reveals

SOLAR activity may be the cause of seasonal dust storms on Mars, according to new research.

Powerful dust storms overtake Mars’ surface once every three to four Martian years – about five and a half to seven and a half Earth years.

NASA, James Bell (Cornell Univ.), Michael Wolff (Space Science Inst.), and Hubble (STScI/AURA)Solar activity may be the cause of seasonal dust storms on Mars, according to new research.[/caption]

For years, the occurrence has baffled scientists...