NASA | Mars Atmosphere Loss: Plasma Processes

Scientists believe Mars, now a dry and dusty planet, may have once had a blue atmosphere and water, similar to Earth. Over billions of years, Mars lost its atmosphere, transforming into the Red Planet. NASA's spacecraft aim to uncover the processes behind this change. Plasma processes, initiated by the sun's high-energy photons, can strip away a planet's atmosphere. These processes involve photons impacting atmospheric molecules, leading to the escape of atoms into space. This continuous process, over time, can significantly reduce a planet's atmosphere, potentially turning a water-rich planet into one like Mars.

What do scientists believe Mars may have looked like in the past?

What processes are thought to have contributed to the loss of Mars's atmosphere?

How does a photon affect a molecule in a planet's atmosphere?

What is the significance of the energy from a photon impacting a molecule?

What role does Maven play in understanding Mars's atmosphere?