Washington: NASA, US Space Agencyhas thrilled space enthusiasts with a mesmerizing video showing the beauty of the universe. This time the spotlight is on Mars. Aurora has been detected on the night side of the red planet. Video shared NASAThe Instagram account shows the vibrant purple colors of the Martian aurora captured by the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument on board the MAVEN Mars orbiter.
The intensity of the purple color in the video indicates the presence of aurora. Brighter shades indicate more auroral activity. NASA reported that the sequence of images was taken as waves of energetic particles from the solar storm reached Mars.
The video concludes with the arrival of the most energetic particles. These particles filled the instrument with noise. The result was a dramatic pause.
On Auroras Mars planet These are fascinating phenomena, unlike those that occur on Earth. Unlike our planet, whose magnetic field is restricted to the polar regions, Mars lost its magnetic shield long ago. This absence of a protective magnetic field leaves the entire Martian atmosphere vulnerable to direct impacts from energetic solar particles. When these particles hit the atmosphere they produce auroras that can extend across the entire planet.
The video footage was captured by MAVEN between May 14 and 20. The spacecraft was orbiting below Mars, looking at the night side of the planet. The Martian south pole, illuminated by full sunlight, can be seen on the right side of the images.
NASA's caption accompanying the video provided additional information about the event. The unique nature of Martian auroras and the important role played by solar storms in their creation were emphasized. The space agency also highlighted the upcoming celebration of MAVEN's 10th anniversary on Mars in September 2024, marking a decade of valuable scientific discoveries and contributions to our understanding of the Martian atmosphere.
This latest post from NASA not only showcases the amazing beauty of the Martian aurora. It underscores the continued efforts of the MAVEN mission to unravel the mysteries of Mars. It captivates the imagination of space enthusiasts around the world.