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Solar storm hits Mars, removes ions from upper atmosphere

Giant plasma waves may help the solar wind strip away the Martian atmosphere

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Coordinated measurements by MAVEN and Tianwen-1 provide direct evidence that Kelvin–Helmholtz waves create plasma clouds that carry ions from Mars into space. The enhanced escape is concentrated on one side of the planet, according to the direction of the electric field.
An image of NASA's Preservation spacecraft observing the aurora borealis. Credit: Avi Blizovsky, via DALEE

The Perseverance rover once again recorded the aurora borealis on Mars

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Researchers present a second visible-light observation of Martian aurora and a new method for predicting it – with scientific implications and future preparation for astronauts
Wet Mars, billions of years ago, and Mars today. NASA figure, based on data transmitted by the MAVEN spacecraft

Mars: Interim Summary of MAVEN Spacecraft Findings  

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The depletion of the atmosphere turned wet Mars into a desert. Imaging of the MAVEN spacecraft in the sky of the planet. Photo: NASA

The solar wind has removed most of the Martian atmosphere

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