NASA | Mapping Mars' Upper Atmosphere

The video discusses the Maven mission's efforts to understand how Mars lost its early atmosphere and water. It highlights the mission's unique approach to studying the upper atmosphere, including the distribution of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. The use of stellar occultations allows Maven to analyze the atmosphere's composition and changes with altitude. The mission aims to provide a comprehensive dataset for future Mars research, offering insights into the planet's climate history and atmospheric dynamics.

What is the primary goal of the Maven mission regarding Mars' early atmosphere?

• To find out how Mars lost its early atmosphere and water

• To determine the current weather patterns on Mars

• To explore the possibility of life on Mars

• To study the surface geology of Mars

Why is understanding the escape of hydrogen from Mars' atmosphere important?

• Hydrogen is responsible for Mars' red color

• Hydrogen affects the planet's magnetic field

• Hydrogen is the primary ingredient in water

• Hydrogen is a key component of carbon dioxide

What technique does Maven use to study the Martian atmosphere?

• Stellar occultations

• Radar imaging

• Thermal mapping

• Seismic activity monitoring

How does Maven achieve comprehensive coverage of Mars' atmosphere?

• By deploying weather balloons in the atmosphere

• By orbiting close to the Martian polar caps and rotating with the planet

• By sending rovers to different regions

• By using multiple landers across the planet

What is the expected outcome of the data collected by Maven?

• To provide immediate solutions for Mars colonization

• To create a data set for the Mars science community to study for decades

• To confirm the presence of life on Mars

• To map the entire surface of Mars