tianwen-1

Solar storm hits Mars, removes ions from upper atmosphere

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

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.
Artist's illustration depicting the Tianwen-1 Mars rover. Figure: China National Space Agency

China's probe lands on Mars