Chemical, Mineralogical, and Physical Properties of Martian Dust and Soil

Abstract: Global and regional dust storms on Mars have been observed from Earth-based telescopes, Mars orbiters, and surface rovers and landers. Dust storms can be global and regional. Dust is material that is suspended into the atmosphere by winds and has a particle size of 1-3 micrometer. Planetary scientist refer to loose unconsolidated materials at the surface as “soil.” The term ”soil” is used here to denote any loose, unconsolidated material that can be distinguished from rocks, bedrock, or str…