Scientists have devised a new way to study winds on Mars by examining sand dunes on the planet’s surface. The resulting wind map could help explain recent changes in the martian climate and provide vital information about devastating dust storms for future explorers.

The researchers focused on martian barchans — distinctive crescent-shaped dunes that look a bit like the Starfleet insignia from Star Trek. (Barchans also form on Earth.) Their two “horns” point back to the prevailing wind and over time, these dunes slowly migrate in that direction.

“What’s wonderful about barchan dunes is that they are very indicative of the wind direction of the region,” planetary scientist Lior Rubanenko tells Astronomy. “They can tell us a lot about the main wind that is driving sand movement in the area we’re looking at.”

How the shapes of martian sand dunes reveal the planet’s winds | Astronomy