![Average ion velocity and magnetic field distributions near the ICB. (A) The center-of-mass velocity of heavy ions in the XZMSE plane, averaged over −1 RM < YMSE < 1 RM. (B) Proton velocity. (C) Velocity shear between protons and heavy ions. (D) Magnetic field strength. (E) Angle between the magnetic field and the X�⃗ MSEin the YZMSE plane, averaged over −1.5 RM < XMSE < 0.5 RM. Black arrows in (A) to (C) indicate velocity directions. Black curves in (A) to (D) mark the nominal locations of the bow shock and ICB. The black shaded sphere in (E) denotes the planetary shadow. -- [physics.space-ph]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Simultaneous.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
[physics.space-ph] Atmospheric ion escape driven by the solar wind is a key process controlling the long-term loss of the Martian atmosphere. Localized plasma clouds can carry substantial fluxes of planetary […]
MAVEN
Posted inMars
First Study Hints Solar Storms May Alter The Weather During Martian Dust Storms
[Royal Astronomical Society] Solar storms may affect weather on Mars when they strike at the same time as major Martian dust storms, a new study has suggested for the first […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
MAVEN Mars Mission Is Ending
The first mission devoted to observing the Martian atmosphere and its evolution, NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution), has ended after more than 11 years in orbit at Mars […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mars, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
A Surprising Phenomenon Found In NASA Data From Mars
Data beamed back from Mars by the NASA spacecraft MAVEN provides the first evidence that a phenomenon protecting planets from solar winds can occur in the atmospheres of worlds that […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Terraforming & Geoengineering, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Mars As An Exoplanet: Lessons From A Planet At The Edge Of Habitability
Mars is the Solar System’s canonical small, rocky planet that transitioned from early geologic activity and surface liquid water to a cold and arid planet with a thin, cold, CO2-dominated […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mars, Press Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics
MAVEN Discovers Space Weather Atmospheric Effect At Mars
In December 2023, scientists looking at Mars data stumbled across something completely unexpected — observations of an atmospheric effect never before seen in the Red Planet’s atmosphere.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Habitable Zones, Mars, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
ESA Orbiters Watch A Solar Superstorm Hit Mars
What happens when a solar superstorm hits Mars? Thanks to the European Space Agency’s Mars orbiters, we now know: glitching spacecraft and a supercharged upper atmosphere.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Press Release, Terraforming & Geoengineering
Mars’ Missing Atmosphere Could Be Hiding In Plain Sight
Mars wasn’t always the cold desert we see today. There’s increasing evidence that water once flowed on the Red Planet’s surface, billions of years ago. And if there was water, […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Habitable Zones, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mars, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Influence Of Upstream Solar Wind On Magnetic Field Distribution In The Martian Nightside Ionosphere
This study is led by Postdoctoral researcher Jiawei Gao from IGGCAS. Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a global dipolar magnetic field; the planet does have locally distributed crustal magnetic fields.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Press Release
Hubble Helps Solve The Mystery Of Mars’ Escaping Water
Scientists have discovered that the escape rates of hydrogen and “heavy hydrogen,” called deuterium, change rapidly when Mars is close to the Sun. This upended the classical picture that scientists […]