Mars boasts static cling

If humans ever go to Mars, they may find electric mini-tornadoes that could make toxic dust stick to their spacesuits, researchers said.

Nasa scientists figure whirlwinds and duststorms on Mars may generate electric charges just as small tornadoes on Earth do.

As on Earth, Martian mini-tornadoes can likely produce an electric field of 4000 volts per metre - enough to create dangerous static cling with spacesuits and equipment, according to William Farrell of Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Centre.

While the earthly electrical environment is most commonly seen during thunderstorms, Farrell said, "on Mars that may also be occurring, but driven by dust storms and dust devils."

"[The martian dust] won't weigh it down, but you're going to have a heck of a time getting it off, and at this point we're not sure that Mars dust is all that healthy," he said.