Sand

The James Webb Space Telescope has made the first direct analysis of clouds on a nearby alien world. These aren’t just made of water vapor but also sand, which would move around the planet much like Earth’s water cycle.

Farmers will often place sheets of plastic on the ground along their crop rows, in order to help hold moisture in the soil. According to a new study, however, the use of wax-coated sand may be a cheaper and greener way to go.

In 2011 the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spotted dark streaks in the dust that appear in summer and vanish in winter, hinting at the influence of flowing water. On closer inspection however, a new NASA report suggests the answer may not be so simple.

No sign yet of giant sandworms, but NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has sent back images that show sand ripples on the Red Planet’s dunes are of a type not found on Earth’s deserts. Created by Mars’ thin atmosphere, the information has provided new clues on the history of the planet’s atmosphere.

Four percent of the sand on Omaha Beach has been found to be from the degradation of shrapnel from D-Day.