Is there lightning on Mars? New evidence suggests it’s there, just hard to see

Scientists have found new evidence suggesting lightning exists on Mars, though it appears very different from Earth's dramatic bolts due to Mars' thin atmosphere and weak magnetic field. NASA's MAVEN orbiter detected radio wave signatures called "whistlers" from a possible 2015 lightning strike, while the Perseverance rover recorded crackling sounds during dust storms that suggest electrical discharges. These discoveries could impact future Mars missions since lightning poses risks to space technology and may contribute to chemical processes relevant to life.