Nasa’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting the first aurora on Mars that is visible to the human eye. This exciting finding holds great promise for future astronauts who will have the opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the red planet. Scientists from Europe and the United States reported that the green aurora, observed in the dusty Martian sky, was caused by a solar storm that occurred last year. They had three days' advance notice to prepare for this remarkable visual display using the rover's high-resolution cameras.
Previous observations of auroras on Mars were limited to ultraviolet light, but this recent event was notable for being in the visible wavelength. The aurora was triggered by a solar flare in March 2024, which was subsequently followed by a coronal mass ejection of plasma from the sun directed toward Mars. These new observations indicate that scientists can now effectively forecast the occurrence of northern and southern lights on Mars, which will enhance the study of space weather, according to Elise Wright Knutsen from the University of Oslo. Her research findings were published in the journal Science Advances.
“While the brightness of this event was dimmed by dust, under better viewing conditions or with more intense particle precipitation, future auroras could be visible to the naked eye, offering a spectacular sight for astronauts,” the researchers stated. This marks the first time an aurora has been reported from the surface of a planet other than Earth, with earlier observations being conducted from orbit.
Launched in 2020, the Perseverance rover has been diligently exploring Mars’ Jezero Crater since 2021. This crater, which is now dry, was once thought to have housed a flowing lake and river delta, making it a prime location for studying potential evidence of ancient microbial life. Perseverance is actively collecting dust and rock samples that will eventually be returned to Earth for further analysis.
This remarkable discovery not only enhances our understanding of Mars but also opens up exciting possibilities for future human exploration of the planet. The ability to see auroras on Mars represents a new frontier in planetary science and offers an inspiring glimpse into the beauty and complexity of our solar system.
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