As Water Escapes from Mars, Common Dayside Aurora Offers Clues to Climate Change, Embry-Riddle Researchers Report
When those energetic, fast-moving atoms interact with molecules in the lower atmosphere, they emit ultraviolet light, creating a proton aurora, said Hughes.
- When those energetic, fast-moving atoms interact with molecules in the lower atmosphere, they emit ultraviolet light, creating a proton aurora, said Hughes.
- "Observations of proton auroras at Mars provide a unique perspective of hydrogen and, therefore, water loss from the planet," co-author Dr. Edwin Mierkiewicz of Embry-Riddle said.
- The researchers found that proton auroras on Mars were more frequent and intense when levels of hydrogen escaping into the atmosphere were highest.
- "These travelers will witness firsthand the final stages of Mars losing the remainder of its water to space."