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. 1973 Jun 1;180(4089):962-3.
doi: 10.1126/science.180.4089.962.

Electrical breakdown caused by dust motion in low-pressure atmospheres: considerations for Mars

H F Eden, B Vonnegut

Electrical breakdown caused by dust motion in low-pressure atmospheres: considerations for Mars

H F Eden et al. Science. .

Abstract

Electrification of agitated dust can cause visible breakdown in a carbon dioxide atmosphere at low pressure in a laboratory experiment. Dust storms on earth become electrified, with accompanying breakdown phenomena. Martian dust storms may reduce the atmospheric conductivity by capturing fast ions on particles, and, by electrifying, may cause discharges in the relatively low pressure atmosphere.

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