Electromagnetic Phenomena Induced by Charged Dust Particles Dynamics in Planetary Atmospheres: Laboratory Simulations and Field Observations

Dust electrification and its associated electromagnetic (EM) emissions play a critical role in atmospheric and near-surface dynamics across planetary environments. This study provides a synthesis of recent work under publication that investigates the mechanisms of charge accumulation, electrostatic discharge, and electromagnetic radiation generation in dust-laden flows under both terrestrial and Mars-analog conditions, using a combined approach of analytical modeling, laboratory experiments, and field measurements. Laboratory experiments were conducted in the Earth conditions and in low-pressure CO2-rich environments to simulate Martian conditions, employing silicate and basaltic samples across a range of grain sizes. The results demonstrate that triboelectric and tunneling charge transfer mechanisms, activated during vortex-driven particle dynamics, can induce transient discharges that generate broadband electromagnetic signals in the ~120–1500 kHz range. Under simulated Martian conditions, Paschen breakdown behavior was experimentally verified, confirming significantly lower breakdown thresholds compared to Earth’s atmosphere. Complementary field measurements carried out in the Kalmykian desert (Russia) further revealed that low humidity and intense solar radiation, even in the presence of moderate wind speeds, enhance dust electrification and discharge activity, leading to detectable EM emissions. Data were recorded using the Electromagnetic Analyzer (EMA), originally developed for Mars surface studies. Analysis of the recorded EM signal using time-domain analysis, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) revealed distinct amplitude-frequency signatures that correlate with particle properties and environmental drivers. These findings establish a new conceptual framework for understanding dust-driven EM phenomena in planetary atmospheres and underscore the applied relevance of electromagnetic diagnostics for future Mars, Moon, and Venus missions.