Moreover,
Strange green sky observed mars:
On Mars. Similarly, the red planet, it would seem that we have forgotten to turn off the light. Meanwhile, Recently, a strange green sky illuminates its nights, leaving the researchers as amazed as they are interlocked. Therefore,
Indeed, scientists have recently observed green glows in the Martian sky, similar to our terrestrial northern lights. Moreover, But how is such a phenomenon possible on a planet without a global magnetic field? However, And above all, why this discovery fascinates researchers so much? Furthermore, Let’s go see it more closely.
March in green – Strange green sky observed mars
For years, scientists knew that Mars has produced nocturnal glows. Consequently, But they were invisible to the naked eye. strange green sky observed mars Furthermore, They were only detectable in ultraviolet or infrared, thanks to space probes like Mars Express (2003) and Maven (2013).
Then in 2023, the big surprise arrived. Furthermore, This. Consequently, when the Exomars mission of ESA and the Rover Perseverance of NASA managed to observe these lights in the visible light, that is to say … Therefore, in the green.
For the very first time, instruments have captured an Aurore Martienne in 557 nanometers. Which is exactly the same wavelength that colors our green dawn on earth.
Then in March 2024, the Rover Perseverance immortalized from the Mars soil a green aurora. It is the first time that such a phenomenon has been observed from the surface of another planet!
Where does this green light come from? – Strange green sky observed mars
Unlike the earth, Mars does not have a large magnetic field that would protect the whole planet. However, some Martian strange green sky observed mars rocks still keep small residual magnetic fieldslike mini-boucliers.
It is around these areas that green dawn can form. The latter, on the other hand, appear when energy particles from the solar wind strike the Martian atmosphere.
On Mars, the atmosphere is made up of 96 % carbon dioxide (CO2). And as soon as the solar particles tickle these molecules, they break them, releasing oxygen atoms.
These excited atoms release energy in the form of light by returning to their stable state. Result: a magnificent green glow lights up the Martian sky. A phenomenon resembling the one that colors our northern borealis.
The “Nightglow”: a permanent green night light
In addition to the dawn, Mars hides another light phenomenon: the Nightglow. Unlike the dawn that appear unpredictably, the Nightglow is much more regular.
Here’s how it goes. On the sunny side of March. the sun bombes the atmosphere of photons, these Small particles of light Who doesn’t like to stay quiet.
By hitting the co₂ molecules, they break them into pieces, releasing oxygen atoms in the air. The latter, then, do not remain on site. Martian winds take them towards the dive side in the night, where a freezing.
Once arrived in this darkness, oxygen atoms are glued to form new O₂ molecules. Then by recomposing, these molecules are found in strange green sky observed mars a so -called “excited” state.
And to return to their calm. stable state, they release their Energy surplus in the form of a brilliant green light which illuminates the Martian night sky.
This process creates a green bright veil above the poles immersed in the Martian winter. And unlike the dawn, this green glow is constant and homogeneous. We could see it every night, like a cosmic night light.
Why is this discovery so important?
Discovering this green light in the visible field changes a lot for scientists.
Until now. expensive and heavy instruments were needed to observe the Aurora and the Nightglow in the Ultraviolet or the Infrared. Now it is possible to use Classic optical camerasmuch simpler and cheaper.
This opens the door to new space missions, more accessible and lighter. The genres that could map the Martian atmosphere in detail and its interactions with the solar wind.
For example. the mission M-MATISSEproposed at ESA, plans to send orbiters equipped with cameras specially designed to capture these green lights with unequaled precision. If the mission is accepted, it could be launched in 2037.
And the best for the end. For astronauts who will one day walk on Mars, these lights could become a breathtaking natural spectacle. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of it?
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