NASA explains dangers of martian dust storms

The US space agency said on its website, on Monday, that in the Red Planet each year take place moderate storms, but also are formed violent winds that raise dust from the surface once every three Martian years (about 5.5 Earth years).
However, according to astronomers, it is unlikely that these dust storms could damage or destroy human fabrication equipment.
This is due to the fact that the speed of the strongest winds on Mars is less than 27 meters per second, half of the speed that some high winds reach on Earth, and also, the density of the Martian atmosphere is a hundred times less than that of Earth.
However, dust storms on Mars are not completely harmless. Some small dust particles can carry electrostatic charge and can adhere to different surfaces, in particular windows and mechanical components of the scientific team.
The researchers point out that the neutralization of static charges and removing dust contamination is one of the main problems to be solved by the engineers, who design equipment for the exploration of Mars.
NASA also reported that filmmaker Ridley Scott used all this information while creating his new film 'The Martian'.
The film, to be premiered in October, begins with a scene in which the protagonist faces a severe dust storm that destroys a transmitting antenna and part of the scientific camp that humans installed on Mars.

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PL-37/ MNA