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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Uniform and patchy proton aurorae on Mars

Uniform and patchy proton aurorae on Mars
Uniform and patchy proton aurorae on Mars The top image displays the normal proton aurora formation mechanism, with solar wind protons occasionally interacting with Mars' hydrogen corona, resulting in uniform auroral emissions. The bottom picture shows a newly discovered mechanism for patchy proton auroras, occurring when the solar wind magnetic field aligns with proton flow, disrupting typical magnetic field configurations. This leads to localized auroral emissions mapping where solar wind plasma directly impacts Mars' upper atmosphere. Emirates Mars Mission/UAE Space Agency