http://www.newsweek.com/nasas-opportunity-mars-rover-struck-huge-dust-storm-thats-bigger-north-america-969097

A vast dust storm larger than the entire North American continent is currently raging on Mars—and it has forced NASA to suspend the scientific operations of its Opportunity rover.

The storm—which covers an area of more than 7 million square miles—was first detected on Friday by the space agency’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. NASA officials quickly notified the rover’s operating team so they could begin contingency planning.