http://www.sciforums.com/threads/are-martian-dust-storms-dangerous.152535/ Are Martian Dust Storms Dangerous? by FRASER CAIN on AUGUST 27, 2015 Apologies to all the fearmongering sci-fi writers, but actually, it’s not that dangerous. Here’s why. First off, you’re not on Mars. It’s a book. Second, it’s a totally different experience on Earth. Here when you feel the wind blasting you in the face, or watch it dismantle a house during a tornado, it’s the momentum of the air particles hammering into it. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! An illustration of a dust storm on Mars. Credit: Brian Grimm and Nilton Renno That momentum comes from air particle density and their velocity. Sadly, the density of the atmosphere on Mars is a delicate 1% of what we’re used to. It’s got the velocity, but it just doesn’t have the density. It’s the difference between getting hit by a garden hose and a firehose with the same nozzle speed. One would gets you soaked, the other can push you down the street and give you bruises. To feel a slight breeze on Mars similar to Earth, you multiply the wind speed by 10. So, if the wind was going about 15 km/h here, you’d need to be hit by winds going about 150 km/h there to have the same experience. It’s not impossible for winds to go that fast on Mars, but that’s still not enough wind to fly a kite. To get it off the ground your mission buddy holds the kite, and you run around in the dumb Martian sand like a try-hard ass. It would fly for a second and then crash down. You’d wonder why you even brought a kite to Mars in the first place because it’s NEVER windy enough. Boo hoo. Your Mars kite doesn’t work. Good news! You’re on Mars! Bad news. It was a one way trip. Good news! A wizard has made you immortal! Bad news. The wizard has brought to life the entire fictional cast of the Twilight series and they’re also there and immortal. Have fun brooding with your new dorky friends, FOR ETERNITY. What I’m saying is you could stand on the red planet restaurant patio and laugh at anything the weather system could throw at you. That is unless, you’re solar powered. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Opportunity Rover. Credit: NASA Mars gets regular dust storms. From time to time, they can get truly global. In 2001, a storm picked up enough dust to shroud the entire planet in a red haze. Temperatures went up as dust helped trap heat in the atmosphere. This storm lasted for 3 months before temperatures cooled, and the dust settled back down again. During a storm in 2007, dust blocked 99% of the light reaching the solar panels of the Opportunity rover. This severely decreased the energy it had to power its instruments, and most importantly, the heaters. Ultimately, it was possible that the cold could kill the rover, if the dust hadn’t subsided quickly enough. If you happen to see a movie or read a book about an astronaut on Mars dealing with a dangerous dust storm, don’t worry. They’ll be fine, the wind won’t shred them to pieces. Instead, focus on unbreathably thin atmosphere, the bone chilling cold, or the constant deadly radiation. That and where’s their food come from again? Well, now you know dust storms aren’t a big issue.
The WIND won't shred them to pieces. But what the wind CARRIES just might. Getting hit by Martian air at 150km/h won't hurt you - but getting hit by Martian sand and gravel at that speed likely would.
As linked, it is an article from Universe Today, but you have a point. We talk of dust storms, how big are the particles would be the issue, and what the wind on Mars is capable of carrying.
I wouldn't worry so much about the power of the storms, although the movement of sand appears quite massive. The very cold, dry temperatures combined with fine sand and dust would mean lots of static electricity associated with planet wide dust storms. I'd want to be inside of something metal when they hit, and preferably sealed very tightly.
Obviously they are... from the link...... To feel a slight breeze on Mars similar to Earth, you multiply the wind speed by 10. So, if the wind was going about 15 km/h here, you’d need to be hit by winds going about 150 km/h there to have the same experience. It’s not impossible for winds to go that fast on Mars, but that’s still not enough wind to fly a kite. To get it off the ground your mission buddy holds the kite, and you run around in the dumb Martian sand like a try-hard ass. During a storm in 2007, dust blocked 99% of the light reaching the solar panels of the Opportunity rover. This severely decreased the energy it had to power its instruments, and most importantly, the heaters. Ultimately, it was possible that the cold could kill the rover, if the dust hadn’t subsided quickly enough. Dust appears to have not done any damage to the rovers, and/or their panels.
Obviously the wind on Mars can not pick up pebbles and sand as say in a sand storm on Earth. They are as the name suggests dust storms, and as as far as I know, no reports of dust damage through impact has been reported on any of the rovers. Talcum powder sized particles?? I'm not sure, but the rovers evidence speaks for itself I suggest. Greatest danger to an Astronaut most probably, [taking into account what we know already] would be reduced visibility.
Mars looks a bit more 'alive' with something moving around...even if it's not alive. Although not a tornado or sand storm their cute. Martian dust devil clips here... http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/press/spirit/20050819a.html
