'Stolen' electrons spark unusual auroras on Mars
By Samantha Mathewson
July 25, 2018, 11:14:49 AM EDT
Share this article:
A new type of aurora has been spotted on Mars, and thieving streams of solar wind may be to blame, a new study shows.
Unlike auroras on Earth, which are caused by electrons and are generally seen near the poles, the auroras on Mars are triggered by an influx of protons and occur over much of the dayside of the Red Planet, where auroras are very hard to see.
Using the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph on NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) orbiter, astronomers observed that, on occasion, the ultraviolet light coming from hydrogen gas in Mars' upper atmosphere would mysteriously brighten for a few hours. These brightening events happened at the same time that the orbiter's Solar Wind Ion Analyzer (SWIA) instrument measured an increase in solar-wind protons (charged particles released from the sun), according to the study.
This image shows the formation of a proton aurora at Mars. A solar-wind proton races toward Mars, hitting a cloud of hydrogen surrounding the planet and stealing an electron from one of those hydrogen atoms to become neutral. The atom can then pass through the magnetic bow shock surrounding Mars because it no longer carries a charge, and it collides with gas molecules in Mars' atmosphere to produce ultraviolet light.Credit: Dan Gallagher/NASA/MAVEN/Goddard Space Flight Center 
Generally, Mars' "bow shock" — a magnetic obstacle surrounding the planet — would divert charged particles from the solar wind. However, the researchers found that, in this case, the charged particles "steal" electrons in order to sneak into the planet's upper atmosphere.
"As they approach Mars, the protons coming in with the solar wind transform into neutral atoms by stealing electrons from the outer edge of the huge cloud of hydrogen surrounding the planet," Justin Deighan, a researcher at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder and lead author of the new study, said in a statementfrom NASA Monday (July 23). "The bow shock can only divert charged particles, so these neutral atoms continue right on through."
More Weather News
-
Severe storms to march across southern US on Saturday
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 9:29:37 AM EST
While a winter storm churns to their north, residents of the lower Mississippi Valley are facing a severe weather danger on Saturday.
-
Reports: Snowstorm ramps up over Midwest as Northeast braces for feet of snow
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 8:59:29 AM EST
A winter storm is gaining strength over the Midwest and will clobber the Northeast into Sunday with significant, widespread impacts.
-
How much?!? See a state-by-state breakdown of maximum predicted snowfall
Weather News - January 18, 2019, 6:54:47 PM EST
The storm is expected to deliver snow accumulations that could be the largest snowfall of the season in some places.
-
How earthquake early alert warnings work and protect millions of lives
Weather News - January 18, 2019, 2:18:00 PM EST
As earthquakes shake regions and cause massive, unpredictable destruction, an early warning system that provides a precious few seconds of alert can be a matter of life and death.
-
State of emergency declared in Pennsylvania, New Jersey as Midwest, Northeast rush to finalize snowstorm preparations
Weather News - January 18, 2019, 9:05:55 PM EST
A major snowstorm is moving through the Midwest into the Northeast through this weekend, dumping mass amounts of snow and creating treacherous travel. Local officials warn communities to prepare ahead of the dangerous winter storm.
-
Blizzard to dish out up to 40 inches of snow in northeastern US as dangerous ice storm takes aim farther south
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 6:02:00 AM EST
A storm with feet of snow, blizzard conditions, a significant build-up of ice, tree-breaking winds and plunging temperatures will close roads, cause flight cancellations and disrupt daily activities over a large part of the northeastern United States this weekend.
-
How are outdoor ice skating rinks kept frozen in warmer climates?
Weather News
Outdoor ice skating rinks aren’t just limited to colder climates that are all too familiar with blizzards and below-freezing conditions.
-
Australian Open: Heat to return during tournament's 2nd week
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 10:15:25 AM EST
A turn to more comfortable weather into Monday will not hold through the second week of the Australian Open in Melbourne, with more hot days ahead.
-
Severe storms to march across southern US on Saturday
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 9:29:37 AM EST
While a winter storm churns to their north, residents of the lower Mississippi Valley are facing a severe weather danger on Saturday.
-
Reports: Snowstorm ramps up over Midwest as Northeast braces for feet of snow
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 8:59:29 AM EST
A winter storm is gaining strength over the Midwest and will clobber the Northeast into Sunday with significant, widespread impacts.
-
How much?!? See a state-by-state breakdown of maximum predicted snowfall
Weather News - January 18, 2019, 6:54:47 PM EST
The storm is expected to deliver snow accumulations that could be the largest snowfall of the season in some places.
-
How earthquake early alert warnings work and protect millions of lives
Weather News - January 18, 2019, 2:18:00 PM EST
As earthquakes shake regions and cause massive, unpredictable destruction, an early warning system that provides a precious few seconds of alert can be a matter of life and death.
-
State of emergency declared in Pennsylvania, New Jersey as Midwest, Northeast rush to finalize snowstorm preparations
Weather News - January 18, 2019, 9:05:55 PM EST
A major snowstorm is moving through the Midwest into the Northeast through this weekend, dumping mass amounts of snow and creating treacherous travel. Local officials warn communities to prepare ahead of the dangerous winter storm.
-
Blizzard to dish out up to 40 inches of snow in northeastern US as dangerous ice storm takes aim farther south
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 6:02:00 AM EST
A storm with feet of snow, blizzard conditions, a significant build-up of ice, tree-breaking winds and plunging temperatures will close roads, cause flight cancellations and disrupt daily activities over a large part of the northeastern United States this weekend.
-
How are outdoor ice skating rinks kept frozen in warmer climates?
Weather News
Outdoor ice skating rinks aren’t just limited to colder climates that are all too familiar with blizzards and below-freezing conditions.
-
Australian Open: Heat to return during tournament's 2nd week
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 10:15:25 AM EST
A turn to more comfortable weather into Monday will not hold through the second week of the Australian Open in Melbourne, with more hot days ahead.
TRENDING NOW
Reports: Snowstorm ramps up over Midwest as Northeast braces for feet of snow
A winter storm is gaining strength over the Midwest and will clobber the Northeast into Sunday with significant, widespread impacts.
Read Story
How wood-burning fireplaces may threaten your health
Frigid winter weather may prompt you to fire up that warm, cozy fireplace. However, a wood-burning fire in your fireplace can cause a number of health problems.
Read Story
