Mars dust doesn't explain one of the solar system's weirdest clouds
Researchers have ruled out Martian dust as the cause of a mysterious cloud above Mars that has baffled scientists for years.
On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on The Weekend ShiftPublished
Updated · aired 6 times
Photo: Kevin Gill from Los Angeles, CA, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsWatch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from The Weekend Shift at 11:46 AM 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 11:46 AM ET on The Weekend Shift, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield; 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
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA strange cloud over Mars has puzzled researchers for years, and a new study finds that ordinary Martian dust doesn't explain it.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe usual suspect has been cleared.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe dust has an alibi. So who was it? Because I want names.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThere are no suspects yet. The cloud is simply unexplained, which in science is a normal place to start.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA cold case. On Mars. With no witnesses except a few rovers that never talk.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentRovers don't testify.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI'm starting a podcast about it. Season one is just me staring at a cloud.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe cloud has better odds of being explained than that podcast has of finishing.
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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 doesn'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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