PASADENA, Calif. (AP) NASA is tracking a regional dust storm on Mars, but says it has not affected the operations of its two rovers on the surface. <\/p>\n
The space agency said Wednesday the storm raging in the Martian southern hemisphere was spotted earlier this month by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter circling overhead. <\/p>\n
The storm came within 840 miles of Opportunity's location. On the opposite side of the red planet, a weather station aboard NASA's newest rover, Curiosity, detected changes in air pressure and overnight temperature related to the storm. <\/p>\n
Scientists want to learn more about Martian dust storms, including why some morph into storms that blanket the planet. <\/p>\n
If this latest storm turns into a global one, the solar-powered Opportunity would see an energy decline. Curiosity, powered by plutonium, won't be as directly affected. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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NASA scientists eyeing regional dust storm on Mars<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PASADENA, Calif. Continue reading