NASA’s MAVEN observes Mars light show caused by major solar storm

Illustration of MAVEN spacecraft in orbit of Mars. Credit: NASA Left column: From top to bottom, MAVEN data showing solar wind, solar energetic particles, proton aurora strength, diffuse aurora strength. On August 30th, a solar storm (a coronal mass ejection) impacted Mars and an increase in the solar inputs as well as the resulting two types of aurora can be clearly seen. Right column: a schematic of the solar wind on the dayside of Mars driving the proton aurora and the solar energetic particles on the nightside of Mars driving the diffuse aurora. Read more at Video Credit: LASP/CU Boulder, UC Berkeley Subscribe: Join Science X channel to support our mission: Thank you for helping our YouTube channel reach new heights! Hitting subscribe aids us in our mission to bring you the latest and greatest research news in science, medicine and technology.