NASA releases movies taken by rover showing dust devils on Mars

PASADENA, Calif. – NASA has released movies of dust devils seen by the rover Spirit as they whirled across the surface of Mars.

The images recorded on April 15 and April 18 show more movement than any previous surface imaging of Martian dust devils, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said in releasing the clips this week.

“This is the best look we’ve ever gotten of the wind effects on the Martian surface as they are happening,” said Mark Lemmon, a rover team member and atmospheric scientist.

Spirit and its twin, Opportunity, have been exploring opposite sides of the Red Planet since landing in January 2004. The rovers have outlasted their primary missions and are operating under mission extensions.