Mars dust can't explain one of the solar system's weirdest clouds
Scientists have ruled out Mars dust as the source of an unusually strange cloud in the solar system, leaving its origin completely unexplained.
On air: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on BBN TonightPublished
Updated · aired 6 times
Photo: Kevin Gill from Los Angeles, CA, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsWatch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Tonight at 9:43 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Mashable's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by Mashable: “Mars dust doesn't explain one of the solar system's weirdest clouds”.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 9:43 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman; aired 6 times.
- Topics: Mars.
- BBN covered this story before: Roman Temple to Mars Unearthed Beneath Forest Floor (October 10).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorScientists say dust blown off Mars does not explain one of the strangest clouds in the solar system, according to Mashable.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo the obvious suspect is cleared, and nobody has another one. I love this.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe dust has been cleared. Nobody has apologized to the dust.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAn unexplained cloud, Hank, just hanging up there with no paperwork.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnexplained is not the same as sinister. It means somebody needs a better grant.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorOr it means the cloud knows something.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe Los Angeles mosquitoes would have confessed by now, and they'd have sent a bill.
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Photo: Paul Berendsen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Karin Langner-Bahmann , upload von Martin Bahmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Kuebi = Armin Kübelbeck · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: nimame · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons- Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Minghong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Also on air
The story so far
- Britpop Mars Mission Celebrated; Wonky Elm Wins Tree of the Year · BBC
- Britpop Mars Probe Honored; WIRED Eyes AI Midterms · BBC
- Roman Temple to Mars Unearthed Beneath Forest Floor · Newser
- Mars dust can't explain one of the solar system's weirdest clouds (this story)
- NASA's Perseverance rover sets a Mars driving record · The New York Times
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, October 11, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months
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