Mars' Atmosphere Swelled Like a Balloon When Solar Wind Stopped Blowing
For a brief but fascinating period last December, the atmosphere on Mars experienced a dramatic change. The solar wind, the constant stream of charged particles from the sun, unexpectedly stopped blowing for two days. This unusual event caused the Martian atmosphere to swell like a balloon, nearly quadrupling in size on the sun-facing side of the planet.
This rare occurrence was observed by the NASA orbiter MAVEN (short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution), which has been studying the Martian atmosphere and its response to the sun's activity since 2014. MAVEN's data revealed that the atmosphere expanded from its usual 497 miles (800 km) to a staggering 1,864 miles (3,000 km) during the solar wind's absence.
Scientists are thrilled by this discovery, as it provides valuable insights into the delicate interplay between the solar wind and Mars' atmosphere. This event highlights the significant role the solar wind plays in shaping the Martian environment and its potential impact on the planet's past and future.
Before this event, scientists observed that the solar wind was slowly stripping away Mars' atmosphere, causing it to leak into space. This ongoing process is believed to be a major factor in the planet's current arid and cold state. However, the recent observation demonstrates that the solar wind can also have a temporary and opposite effect, temporarily thickening the atmosphere.
This event presents an exciting opportunity for scientists to learn more about the dynamics of Mars' atmosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. By studying the data collected by MAVEN and other spacecraft, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the forces that have shaped Mars' past and will continue to influence its future.
The sudden disappearance of the solar wind remains a mystery, but it serves as a reminder of the complexities and surprises that still await us in our quest to understand the universe. This one-of-a-kind event has opened up new avenues for research and provided valuable insights into the delicate balance that governs our solar system.