How Other-Worldly Auroras Help Us Explore the Galaxy

Auroras, the stunning light displays on Earth, are not unique to our planet. They occur throughout the solar system and beyond, providing insights into other worlds. On Earth, auroras form when solar wind particles collide with atmospheric molecules, emitting light. Auroras can also reveal hidden features, like Ganymede's potential underground ocean, inferred from its aurora's damped motion. Mars, despite lacking a magnetic field, has proton auroras that indicate atmospheric water loss. Auroras can also help detect exoplanets through radio waves, offering a new method for finding distant worlds.

How do auroras help scientists understand the Martian atmosphere?

What potential do auroras have in the search for exoplanets?

In what ways can studying auroras contribute to our understanding of the universe?