Tiny tornadoes of dust whirl across Mars's rusty plains far faster than scientists thought, a new study reveals.

Researchers tracked 1,039 dust devils on the Red Planet captured in two decades of images from European Space Agency (ESA) orbiters. The findings, published Wednesday (Oct. 8) in the journal Science Advances, show that these twisters can reach speeds up to 98 mph (158 kph), far exceeding previous measurements from Mars rovers and climate models.

The results could help scientists plan future Mars missions by accounting for the troublesome dust that coats rover solar panels and whips across landing sites during descent, the researchers say.

"Our measurements could help scientists build up an understanding of wind conditions at a landing site before touchdown, which could help t

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