Uncovering Martian Cloud Patterns: Citizen Scientists Make Remarkable Discovery
Citizen scientists participating in NASA's Cloudspotting on Mars project have used data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to map the clouds over Mars, revealing patterns of cloud clustering and behavior. The cloud maps show populations of carbon dioxide ice clouds at high altitudes, clouds near the poles, and water-ice clouds that form during dusty seasons. Understanding these clouds is crucial for studying Martian weather and climate. The research will be published in the journal Icarus, and more data analysis is underway to explore how cloud formation is influenced by changing dust conditions on Mars.