In a new study, Brines et al. detected an unusual increase in water vapor in the middle atmosphere of Mars during northern-hemisphere summer in Martian Year 37 (2022–2023 on Earth) caused by an anomalous dust storm. No similar dust storm, in terms of location and season, has been observed on Mars in nearly two decades.
By analysing the event using the combined data from several active Mars orbiters - ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and its NOMAD instrument, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) - enabled the study not only the vertical distribution of water vapor, but also the distribution of dust in the atmosphere, the formation of water ice clouds, and the escape of hydrogen into space.
Read more here: An unusual dust storm reveals how Mars lost some of its water – To Mars and back
Press releases and coverage:
UTokyo: https://www.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/information/category/press/0029105.htmlTohoku U: https://www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp/news/20260203-14095.htmlBIRA-IASB: https://www.aeronomie.be/en/news/2026/unusual-dust-storm-mars-reveals-how-red-planet-lost-some-its-waterESA: Ettps://blogs.esa.int/to-mars-and-back/2026/02/02/an-unusual-dust-storm-reveals-how[…]18ByvRdJsHcqo_c7Eps7hRmDJDRlO27w7hG_aem_xAkwk2gpyu_7NwEf230f7gIAA: https://www.iaa.csic.es/noticia/una-inusual-tormenta-de-polvo-revela-como-marte-perdio-parte-de-su-agua/
News https://scienmag.com/localized-dust-storm-sparks-off-season-mars-water-escape/
https://www.nikkan.co.jp/articles/view/00772598