Jakarta –
Mars is famous for its red planet. However, recently scientists discovered that the atmosphere on Mars is actually green, not red either.
The study was conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA) and published in the journal Nature Astronomy on November 9, 2023. Scientists observed the Martian atmosphere using the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).
Scientists have observed the Martian atmosphere glowing green for the first time in the visible light spectrum. This light creates an airglow or nightglow effect at certain hours.
This light is a bit similar to the northern lights or auroras that can be found on Earth. However, the source and cause of the light are different.
“Night glow occurs when two oxygen atoms combine to form an oxygen molecule,” wrote the ESA statement, quoted from Live Science.
Will Be The Future Trip
Scientists say that this discovery could be a future journey for them and astronauts. They suspect Mars has had air jets for about 40 years, but the first observation only occurred a decade ago by ESA’s Mars Express orbiter, which detected the phenomenon in the infrared spectrum.
On Mars, this occurs at an altitude of about 31 miles (50 km). In comparison, auroras occur when the sun’s charged particles collide with the Earth’s magnetic field.
Previously, in 2020 scientists observed the phenomenon in visible light using TGO, but in Martian daylight, not at night.
“This new observation is unexpected and exciting for future trips to the Red Planet. The intensity of night light in the polar regions is such that simple and relatively cheap instruments in Mars orbit can map and monitor atmospheric flows,” said Liege planetary expert Jean Claude Gerard, in the ESA statement.
Future ESA missions could carry cameras for global imaging. In addition, the emissions are strong enough to be observed during the polar night by future astronauts orbiting or from the surface of Mars.
Researcher at the Laboratory of Planetary and Atmospheric Physics at the University of Liege, Benoit Hubert, said studying Martian light would continue as part of the TGO mission and could provide insight into the atmosphere on Mars.
However, this region is not accessible for direct composition measurement methods using satellites.
“Remote sensing of these emissions is an excellent tool for investigating the composition and dynamics of Mars’ upper atmosphere between 40 and 80 km [25 hingga 50 mil],” said Hubert.
Scientists also say that studying the Martian atmosphere can help design future spacecraft that can be used to Mars.
(chicken/gas)
2023-11-19 11:00:00
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