NASA’s Perseverance rover has successfully identified the first aurora visible to the naked eye on Mars, marking a significant milestone for future human exploration of the planet. This green aurora, observed in the Martian skies, resulted from a solar storm that transpired last year, with scientists having prepared for the observation three days in advance using the rover’s cameras.
Unlike previous auroras detected at Mars, which were limited to ultraviolet wavelengths, this one emitted light within the visible spectrum. The occurrence was triggered by a solar flare in March 2024, followed by a coronal mass ejection from the sun that directed plasma towards Mars.
Research led by Elise Wright Knutsen from the University of Oslo reveals that this discovery enables the prediction of northern and southern lights on Mars. Such forecasts are advantageous for the study of space weather, enhancing our understanding of the Martian environment.
Although the brightness of this event was somewhat muted by Martian dust, researchers anticipate that under optimal conditions or during more intense solar activity, future auroras could be visible to astronauts. This event is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first recorded aurora from a planet other than Earth.
Previously, auroras on Mars were only observed from orbit, but Perseverance, which landed in February 2021, has been conducting in-depth explorations of the Jezero Crater. This crater, once thought to be part of a river delta fed by an ancient lake, holds the potential to reveal signs of past microbial life.
In summary, this aurora discovery not only enriches our scientific understanding of Mars but also offers an inspiring prospect for astronauts who may one day gaze at the Martian sky, witnessing its beauty firsthand.