Days after Earth experienced a mesmerizing display of northern and southern lights, Mars was hit by a powerful solar storm. According to NASA’s MAVEN orbiter, auroras in purple, representing ultraviolet light, were spotted on Mars’s nightside from May 14 to 20. The intensity of the purple color indicated the presence of more auroras.
In May, the sun unleashed a series of radiation-filled outbursts that created stunning auroras on Earth as they interacted with the planet’s magnetic field. However, Mars was not spared from the sun’s fury. Just a few days after Earth’s light show, on May 20, Mars was hit by a significant solar storm, described as the strongest solar energetic particle event observed to date by NASA’s MAVEN principal investigator, Shannon Curry.
The storm triggered an aurora that covered Mars from pole to pole in a shimmering glow. If astronauts were present on the Martian surface, they would have witnessed a jade-green light show due to the planet’s atmospheric chemistry. Unfortunately, no color cameras captured this phenomenon on the surface.
Although the storm did not pose a lethal threat, it did expose Mars’s thin atmosphere and lack of a global magnetic shield. NASA’s Curiosity rover registered a radiation dose equivalent to 30 chest X-rays on the planet’s surface. This level of radiation exposure would not be suitable for human health.
The recent solar storm on Mars highlights the planet’s vulnerability to solar eruptions and the challenges that future human missions to Mars may face. Understanding the impact of these storms on the Martian environment is crucial for planning safe and successful missions to the red planet.
In conclusion, the recent solar storm on Mars serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the need for further research to ensure the safety of future space exploration missions. As scientists continue to study the effects of solar activity on Mars, we gain valuable insights into the planet’s unique environment and the potential risks for human exploration.