Solar Storm on Mars resulted in this SHOCKING phenomenon that has stunned NASA scientists

After the NASA mission to Mars, UAE has also sent a separate spacecraft to the red planet. The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) has sent an exploratory probe called Hope which has been taking images of the atmosphere of Mars. Recently, it has come across a strange phenomenon after a solar storm struck the planet that has confused even the brave minds at NASA. It seems that, while the northern lights are magical, they are not exclusive to our planet. You read that right. Researchers have recently observed “mysterious worm-like” aurora on Mars. Amidst the researches and theories of the existence of life on Mars, auroras, similar to the Earth’s northern lights, were visible on a land which is over 40 million miles or 55 million kilometres away from us. This extraordinary sighting was quite “shocking” , as explained by the researchers.

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) probe, Hope, photographed the aurora. After the probe entered its orbit of Mars, it started the imaging. Differing from the original plan, the researchers chose to focus on these “discrete” auroras quite closely. “We knew we had unveiled [a] potential to make observations never before possible on this scale,” stated the EMM Science Lead, Hessa Al Matroushi. Due to this, almost after a year, the researchers discovered a “huge, worm-like” aurora that, as observed, extends halfway around the planet. This was a phenomenon that was never observed before. Thereafter, the researchers are calling this discovery a “sinuous discrete aurora”.

Scientists find shocking auroras after a solar storm strike on Mars

The primary aim of Hope, which was guided and assisted by a team at NASA, is to study the atmosphere of Mars. So, the images of auroras on Mars provide essential information about the interactions between magnetic fields and solar wind on the planet. The data provided by Hope will assist the international science community for building up a global weather map for the planet. Additionally, it will assist in comprehending the various weather cycles experienced by the planet and will also help in tracking the movement of Hydrogen and Oxygen in between the various layers of atmosphere.

Previously, researchers have discovered three other types of auroras on Mars. The first one being the diffuse auroras, which have resulted from strong solar storms. The second type is the discrete auroras. Hope has been investigating this type of auroras from the very start. These auroras are a result of magnetised minerals that are present in Mars's crust. Proton auroras make up for the third type. These are observed on that side of the planet which faces the Sun. The fourth one is the recently discovered ‘sinuous discrete aurora’. This one consists of ‘long worm-like streaks of energised electron emissions in the upper atmosphere’ and extends from the dayside to the nightside of the planet.

The EMM is one of a kind mission that has been launched by an Arab nation. It is one of the three Mars missions that were launched in 2020.