A chance of dust storms

While the Red Planet's atmosphere is so very, very thin (about one per cent the density of ours), this doesn't mean the weather on Mars is boring.

Oh no. There are clouds, extreme temperatures (from -140degsC to a positively balmy 20degsC), wild winds and all manner of dust storms - from little dust devils to storms that cover the entire surface.

Texas has a big job on its hands. Weather forecasting on Earth isn't exactly reliable so predicting conditions on a planet up to 399,000,000km away is more than a little tricky.

But Martian Michael Fishes are needed if we're going to start sending manned missions to Mars.

Even the plucky two rovers currently on the surface are reliant on the weather. While dust storms can block the sun and rob them of their source of power, gusts of wind blow off the dust from their solar panels so they can continue to survive.

So if you're a Martian astronaut you could well be tuning into the forecast while you're munching on your space flakes in the morning.

Weird Science Factoids: One in every four Americans has appeared on television. I appreciate this is not too scientific, but it's no less astounded.

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