Ten Years at Mars with NASA’s MAVEN Mission

Summary

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft has been studying the loss of Mars' ancient atmosphere and water since its arrival in 2014. Key discoveries include the effects of solar wind erosion, atmospheric sputtering, and magnetic field interactions. MAVEN has also observed dust storms, water loss, and auroras on Mars. Notable achievements include mapping Martian winds and electric currents, and capturing stunning ultraviolet images of Mars’ atmosphere. As MAVEN continues its mission, it provides critical insights into Mars' evolving climate and its interactions with the solar wind.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Mars today is a cold, dry world with a thin atmosphere only 1% as thick as Earth's.
• 💧 In its ancient past, Mars had flowing water, supported by a thicker atmosphere.
• 🚀 Since 2014, NASA's MAVEN spacecraft has been studying the loss of Mars' atmosphere and its impact on water.
• 🌬️ In 2015, MAVEN observed how the solar wind erodes Mars' atmosphere by accelerating ions into space.
• ⚡ In 2017, MAVEN showed that a process called 'sputtering' is a major cause of atmospheric loss on Mars.
• 🌀 MAVEN discovered in 2017 that Mars has a twisted magnetic tail caused by interactions between the solar wind and Mars' own magnetic fields.
• 🌪️ In 2018, a global dust storm lifted water molecules into the upper atmosphere, accelerating water loss to space.
• ✨ In 2018, MAVEN found the first-ever proton aurora at Mars, a widespread ultraviolet light display caused by solar wind particles.
• 🌬️ In 2019, MAVEN created the first map of Martian thermosphere wind currents, revealing high-altitude wind disturbances influenced by surface terrain.
• 🌟 In 2024, MAVEN observed the effects of an X-class solar flare, witnessing auroras and a surge in atmospheric activity.

Q & A

What is the current state of Mars' atmosphere compared to its ancient past?

Today, Mars has a cold, dry environment with a thin atmosphere, only 1% as thick as Earth's. However, in the ancient past, Mars had a much thicker atmosphere that supported the presence of flowing water on its surface.

What has MAVEN been studying since its arrival at Mars in 2014?

MAVEN has been studying how Mars' atmosphere was lost to space, focusing on the processes that contributed to the loss of the planet's once-thick atmosphere and its water.

How does the solar wind affect the Martian atmosphere, according to MAVEN’s 2015 observations?

In 2015, MAVEN observed that the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun, erodes the Martian atmosphere by accelerating ions from the upper atmosphere and driving them into space, significantly reducing the atmospheric density.

What is 'sputtering,' and how does it contribute to atmospheric loss on Mars?

'Sputtering' occurs when ions from Mars' atmosphere are picked up by the solar wind’s magnetic field and collide with neutral atoms at the top of the atmosphere, ejecting them into space. This process has been a major driver of atmospheric loss, particularly in removing noble gases like argon.

What did MAVEN discover about Mars’ magnetic tail in 2017?

MAVEN revealed that Mars' magnetic tail, or magnetotail, is twisted due to the interaction between the sun's magnetic fields and small magnetic fields in Mars' crust. This confirmed earlier model predictions about the planet’s induced magnetic field.

How did MAVEN contribute to our understanding of Martian dust storms in 2018?

During a global dust storm in 2018, MAVEN observed a significant increase in water in Mars' upper atmosphere. It found that heating from dust storms lofts water molecules higher into the atmosphere, accelerating the process of water being lost to space.

What unique type of aurora did MAVEN discover in 2018?

In 2018, MAVEN discovered a Mars proton aurora, where protons from the solar wind interact with the Martian ionosphere. Unlike Earth, where proton auroras are confined near the poles, these auroras can spread across the entire dayside of Mars.

What did MAVEN’s 2019 findings reveal about the wind currents in Mars’ thermosphere?

In 2019, MAVEN produced the first map of wind currents in Mars’ thermosphere, revealing that terrain features like mountains and valleys on the surface can disturb high-altitude winds.

What significant event did MAVEN observe in 2022 related to the solar wind?

In 2022, MAVEN observed the disappearance of the solar wind around Mars when a fast-moving region of the solar wind overtook a slower one, leaving a temporary void. This caused Mars' magnetosphere to expand and MAVEN's orbit to be engulfed by the planet's magnetic field.

What role does MAVEN continue to play in Mars exploration?

MAVEN remains a key part of NASA's Mars exploration efforts, studying the interaction between the solar wind and Mars' atmosphere, and providing insights into the planet’s ongoing atmospheric evolution and climate history.

Outlines

00:00

🔴 The Atmospheric Loss on Mars and MAVEN's Mission

Mars, once a planet with flowing water and a thick atmosphere, is now a dry and cold world with a thin atmosphere. NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft, which arrived on Mars in 2014, has been investigating how Mars lost its atmosphere and water over time. The spacecraft's findings have significantly advanced our understanding of Mars' atmospheric loss to space. MAVEN's initial discoveries, including the erosion of the Martian atmosphere by the solar wind, were groundbreaking. In 2015, MAVEN observed how ions from Mars’ upper atmosphere were driven into space by the solar wind's magnetic field, and by 2017, it confirmed that a process called 'sputtering' played an even greater role in the loss of the atmosphere.

05:02

🌬️ Magnetic Twists and Atmospheric Phenomena on Mars

MAVEN’s continued mission uncovered more phenomena, including in 2017 when the spacecraft revealed a unique twist in Mars' magnetic tail. The interaction between the sun’s magnetic fields and Mars’ own ancient magnetic pockets creates this twist, confirming previous model predictions. In 2018, a massive dust storm enveloped the planet, leading to an unexpected spike in water in the upper atmosphere, which MAVEN observed. The dust storms lifted water molecules much higher than usual, enhancing water loss into space. Additionally, MAVEN detected a new type of aurora known as a proton aurora, different from Earth's, which can blanket the Martian dayside in ultraviolet light.

🌪️ Mapping Martian Winds and Electric Currents

In 2019, MAVEN produced the first detailed map of Martian wind currents, revealing how terrain features on the surface can disturb high-altitude winds in the thermosphere. These disturbances were detected as MAVEN passed through the upper atmosphere, capturing the imprint of surface features such as mountains and valleys. By 2020, MAVEN had also mapped the electric current systems of Mars for the first time. This new map helps scientists understand how these currents interact with the solar wind and influence the escape of atmospheric particles into space.

🌞 Solar Wind Surprises and Stunning UV Images

In 2022, MAVEN witnessed an unusual event when the solar wind temporarily vanished from Mars. A fast-moving patch of the solar wind overtook a slower region, leaving a gap and causing Mars' magnetosphere to expand dramatically. MAVEN captured this event as it orbited Mars, observing the solar wind disappear from view temporarily. MAVEN also took stunning ultraviolet images of Mars during 2022 and 2023, showing seasonal changes in the southern and northern hemispheres. These images revealed atmospheric details, including ozone haze and cloud formations, providing further insights into the planet's dynamic weather patterns.

🌟 MAVEN’s Observation of Solar Flares and Ongoing Mission

In 2024, MAVEN observed the aftermath of an X-class solar flare, one of the most powerful eruptions from the sun. The flare caused charged particles to crash into Mars, leaving visual evidence of the event captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover. MAVEN also observed brilliant auroras lighting up Mars’ atmosphere in response to this solar activity. Over its decade-long mission, MAVEN has greatly expanded our understanding of Mars’ atmospheric evolution and climate history. It continues to play a crucial role in studying how the solar wind interacts with Mars' atmosphere, providing invaluable insights into the planet's ongoing transformation.

Keywords

💡Mars atmosphere

The Martian atmosphere is much thinner than Earth's, only about 1% as thick. The video explains how Mars' ancient atmosphere was once thick enough to support flowing water, but much of it has since been lost to space. MAVEN's mission focuses on studying how this atmosphere was eroded over time.

💡MAVEN spacecraft

NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft has been orbiting Mars since 2014. Its primary mission is to understand how Mars' atmosphere has been lost to space, providing key insights into the planet's climatic evolution. The video reviews MAVEN’s key discoveries over its first decade.

💡Solar wind

The solar wind is a stream of electrically charged particles emitted by the Sun. It plays a significant role in eroding the Martian atmosphere by interacting with Mars' upper atmosphere and magnetic field. MAVEN observed how these particles accelerate ions from the atmosphere, causing them to escape into space.

💡Sputtering

Sputtering is a process in which energetic ions collide with neutral atoms in the Martian atmosphere, ejecting them into space. MAVEN’s measurements showed that sputtering has been a dominant factor in the loss of Mars' atmosphere, accounting for the escape of gases over time.

💡Magnetotail

Mars' magnetotail is a stretched-out region of the planet’s magnetic field formed by the interaction of the solar wind with Mars' weak, induced magnetic field. MAVEN discovered that Mars' magnetotail has a twist caused by the interaction of the solar and Martian magnetic fields, confirming previous models.

💡Global dust storms

Mars experiences massive dust storms that can cover the entire planet. During a 2018 global dust storm, MAVEN observed an unexpected increase in water in the upper atmosphere, indicating that dust storms can loft water molecules higher than normal, accelerating atmospheric escape.

💡Proton auroras

Proton auroras are a type of aurora caused by protons from the solar wind interacting with a planet's atmosphere. MAVEN discovered this type of aurora on Mars in 2018, where solar wind protons pick up electrons from the ionosphere and produce widespread auroras visible in ultraviolet light across the Martian dayside.

💡Thermosphere wind currents

The thermosphere is one of the upper layers of a planet's atmosphere. In 2019, MAVEN mapped wind currents in Mars' thermosphere, revealing how surface features like mountains and valleys create disturbances in these high-altitude winds, contributing to a deeper understanding of atmospheric dynamics.

💡Electric current systems

In 2020, MAVEN helped map the electric current systems in Mars' atmosphere for the first time. These systems are created as the solar wind's magnetic field interacts with Mars, influencing atmospheric escape and helping scientists better understand the forces shaping the planet's atmosphere.

💡X-class solar flare

An X-class solar flare is the most powerful type of solar eruption, capable of sending bursts of charged particles into space. In 2024, MAVEN observed the aftermath of an X-class flare, noting how it triggered auroras on Mars and affected its magnetosphere. Such events offer critical insights into how solar activity impacts Martian atmospheric loss.

Highlights

Mars once had a thick atmosphere and flowing water.

MAVEN has been studying Mars' atmosphere loss since 2014.

Solar wind erodes the Martian atmosphere.

Sputtering is a significant factor in Martian atmosphere loss.

MAVEN measured argon isotopes to estimate noble gas loss.

Mars' magnetic tail has a twist due to interactions with the sun's magnetic fields.

Dust storms on Mars can cause a surge in water loss to space.

MAVEN discovered a new type of Mars proton aurora in 2018.

Proton auroras on Mars are different from those on Earth.

MAVEN created the first map of Martian wind currents.

MAVEN mapped Martian atmosphere's electric current systems.

Solar wind disappeared from Mars in 2022 due to a fast-moving patch overtaking a slower one.

MAVEN captured ultraviolet images of Mars at different times in its orbit.

MAVEN observed the effects of an X-class solar flare on Mars in 2024.

MAVEN continues to expand our understanding of Mars' climate history.

MAVEN is a critical member of NASA's robotic explorer fleet.

Transcripts

Today, Mars is a cold, dry world

with a tenuous atmosphere only 1% as thick as Earth's.

But in the ancient past, water flowed freely across the Martian surface,

maintained by a thick, early atmosphere.

Since it first arrived at the Red Planet in September 2014,

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft has been studying how that atmosphere was lost to space -

and with it, the water. Now, as MAVEN continues its mission, we can look back on

its many remarkable discoveries during its first ten years

at Mars.

[Music]

In 2015,

MAVEN observed the solar wind eroding the Martian atmosphere.

The solar wind is a stream of electrically charged particles blowing from the sun.

MAVEN watched as ions from the Mars upper atmosphere

were accelerated by the solar wind’s, magnetic field and driven into space,

confirming that this process has deeply eroded the Martian atmosphere.

In 2017, MAVEN showed that a process called

“sputtering” has had an even greater effect on the atmosphere.

When ions from Mars get picked up by the solar wind’s magnetic field,

they can crash into neutral atoms at the top of the atmosphere,

sputtering them into space.

MAVEN measured

present-day isotopes of argon, which can be removed only by sputtering,

to determine that 65% of the noble gas has been lost over time.

This allowed scientists to estimate the escape of other gases

and determine that sputtering has been

the primary mechanism driving the atmosphere into space.

Later in 2017, MAVEN revealed

a twist in Mars's invisible magnetic tail.

When the sun's magnetic fields reach Mars, they pile up and wrap around the planet,

creating an induced magnetic field that is drawn out behind Mars

like a comet's tail.

The Martian crust also contains small pockets of its own

early magnetic field, which rotate along with the planet.

MAVEN discovered that when these two fields interact,

they put a twist in the magnetotail, confirming model predictions.

In 2018, a runaway series of dust storms

created a dust cloud so large that it enveloped the planet.

During this global dust storm, MAVEN observed an abrupt, unexpected spike

in the amount of water in the upper atmosphere.

It discovered that heating from dust storms can loft

water molecules far higher into the atmosphere than usual,

leading to a sudden surge in water lost to space.

Later in 2018, MAVEN

announced the discovery of a new type of aurora at Mars.

The mission had previously observed auroras during solar storms

after electrons from the sun struck the upper atmosphere,

causing it to glow with ultraviolet light.

MAVEN's 2018 discovery was the first observation of a Mars proton aurora.

When protons from the solar wind pick up electrons

from the Martian ionosphere, they can slip through the planet's

bow shock and plunge into its upper atmosphere, causing widespread auroras.

On Earth, proton auroras are isolated near the poles,

but on Mars they can bathe the dayside in ultraviolet radiation.

In 2019,

MAVEN produced the first map of wind currents in the Martian thermosphere,

revealing disturbances in high-altitude winds

caused by terrain features on the surface.

MAVEN sensed these disturbances as it skimmed through

the upper atmosphere,

feeling the imprint of mountains and valleys far below.

In 2020, data from MAVEN led to the creation of another new map

showing the Martian atmosphere's electric current systems for the first time.

MAVEN detected these currents indirectly,

by observing the solar wind’s magnetic field lines drape around the planet.

Mapping the electric current systems can help scientists

to better understand the forces that drive atmospheric escape.

In 2022, MAVEN watched

as the solar wind unexpectedly disappeared from Mars.

The event occurred when a fast-moving patch of the solar wind

overtook a slower-moving region, leaving a void in its wake.

In response, the Martian magnetosphere ballooned

outward by thousands of kilometers, engulfing MAVEN's orbit

and causing the solar wind to temporarily disappear from view.

In 2022 and 2023, MAVEN captured stunning ultraviolet

images of Mars when the planet was near opposite ends of its elliptical orbit.

The first image was taken when the southern hemisphere

was in summer, which coincides with Mars's closest approach to the sun.

Canyons and basins are covered with a thin haze

of ozone, indicated by a tinge of pink.

The second image was taken during northern spring,

after Mars had passed its furthest point from the sun.

White clouds hint at rapidly changing conditions in the northern polar

regions, while deep magenta signals a buildup of ozone during the frigid winter.

In 2024, MAVEN

observed the aftermath of an X-class solar flare,

the strongest type of eruption from the sun.

The flare was quickly followed by a burst of charged particles crashing into Mars,

leaving black and white streaks on images taken by NASA's Curiosity rover.

MAVEN watched from above as auroras lit up the planet

in a brilliant display of celestial fireworks.

[Music]

In its first decade at Mars, MAVEN has vastly expanded

our understanding of the Red Planet and its climate history.

Today, it continues to be a critical member

of NASA's fleet of robotic explorers, observing

the interaction between the solar wind and the Martian atmosphere

and providing a window into the ongoing evolution of Mars.

[Music]