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So, a small helicopter NASA is about to fly on Mars might do something pretty awesome.
The blades of the helicopter might electrically charge the Martian dust, causing it to...
Glow in the dark!
Words by me @NewScientist and short thread
(1/x)
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2267676-nasa-is-about-to-land-a-helicopter-on-mars-that-might-glow-in-the-dark/
The blades of the helicopter might electrically charge the Martian dust, causing it to...
Glow in the dark!
Words by me @NewScientist and short thread
(1/x)
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2267676-nasa-is-about-to-land-a-helicopter-on-mars-that-might-glow-in-the-dark/
The small helicopter, called Ingenuity, is part of the @NASAPersevere rover landing on 18 Feb.
It'll perform up to five flights in a 30-day window starting in March, lasting up to 90 seconds each.
These are the first attempts at flight on another planet.
(2/x)
It'll perform up to five flights in a 30-day window starting in March, lasting up to 90 seconds each.
These are the first attempts at flight on another planet.
(2/x)
Researchers investigated what effect these flights might have on the Martian atmosphere ( https://arxiv.org/abs/2102.04181 ).
After all, Mars is weird. It is carbon dioxide-rich and has very low pressure.
What will happen when the blades spin?
Turns out, something quite cool.
(3/x)
After all, Mars is weird. It is carbon dioxide-rich and has very low pressure.
What will happen when the blades spin?
Turns out, something quite cool.
(3/x)
The blades of the helicopter might produce an electric charge known as the "triboelectric effect".
The result could be something similar to the Kopp-Etchells effect on Earth, which effects helicopters in sandy conditions.
It makes the blades of the helicopter "glow".
(4/x)
The result could be something similar to the Kopp-Etchells effect on Earth, which effects helicopters in sandy conditions.
It makes the blades of the helicopter "glow".
(4/x)
If Ingenuity attempts a flight in low-light conditions, such as at Martian twilight, it might produce this same glow, or corona.
In these conditions, it might be possible for Perseverance to image the effect.
The helicopter will glow in the dark!
(5/x)
In these conditions, it might be possible for Perseverance to image the effect.
The helicopter will glow in the dark!
(5/x)
I've spoken to NASA's helicopter team, and they are aware of the effect.
However, at the moment they haven't decided whether to attempt a flight at twilight or not to try and observe it.
Other flight profiles – like flying in high winds – might take precedence.
(6/x)
However, at the moment they haven't decided whether to attempt a flight at twilight or not to try and observe it.
Other flight profiles – like flying in high winds – might take precedence.
(6/x)
Aside from looking cool, it could give us very unique scientific information on how the atmosphere on Mars breaks down.
However, it's not 100% clear if Perseverance's cameras would be sensitive enough to see it.
(Also worth noting, the effect will not damage Ingenuity.)
(7/x)
However, it's not 100% clear if Perseverance's cameras would be sensitive enough to see it.
(Also worth noting, the effect will not damage Ingenuity.)
(7/x)
So, will we see a twilight flight happen? Maybe not.
But you never know. If all other objectives are met, next month a small helicopter from Earth might light up on an alien world due to extraterrestrial electric charges.
And that would be, well, pretty awesome.
(8/end)
But you never know. If all other objectives are met, next month a small helicopter from Earth might light up on an alien world due to extraterrestrial electric charges.
And that would be, well, pretty awesome.
(8/end)
