NASA ’s MAVEN space vehicle , currently in reach around Mars , has made an interesting find of metal ion in its atmosphere . It ’s the first metre we ’ve regain such a feature on another major planet .
The research was led by Joseph Grebowsky of NASA ’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt , Maryland . The determination are write inGeophysical Research Letters .
The metal comes from interplanetary detritus in the material body of meteoroids that is hitting the ambiance . MAVEN ( Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission ) detect iron , atomic number 12 , and Na ion in the upper atmosphere , all with this cosmic stock .
" MAVEN has made the first direct catching of the permanent presence of alloy ions in the ionosphere of a planet other than Earth , " said Grebowsky in astatement .
As the meteor hit the atmosphere , they are vaporize and metal atom in the vapour trail have their electrons stripped away by the ionosphere ( the upper atmosphere ) , deform the atoms into electrically agitate ions .
We already knew these sorts of ions were present in Earth ’s atmosphere , forming into permanent layer above our major planet . They ’re arranged in layers by our global magnetic area , but on Mars things are a routine different .
MAVEN is studying the ambience of Mars . NASA ’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Mars only has localized magnetic champaign that are fossilized in certain parts of the impudence , having lose its orbicular magnetic study – and most of its atmosphere with it – long ago . But this detection paint a picture it does also have some lasting ion , but they are mostly disordered except above these local magnetic fields .
MAVEN has been studying the atmosphere of Mars since it entered orbit in September 2014 . It haspreviously foundevidence that the solar tip was responsible for discase away much of the air after the satellite lost its magnetic field . This study , though , paint a picture it still has some feature that are like to our world .
" note metal ions on another planet fall in us something to compare and contrast with Earth to empathize the ionosphere and atmospheric chemistry better , " enunciate Grebowsky in the statement .
empathise the Martian ionosphere will give us a better understanding of how the Martian atmosphere has been lost to blank . And this discipline hint that other planets and moons with atmosphere will have metal ions like Earth , too .
