Space Physics
Mars’ atmosphere well protected from the solar wind
Present-day Mars is a cold and dry planet with less than 1% of Earth’s atmospheric pressure at the surface. However many geological features indicate the…
Solar wind impacts on giant 'space hurricanes' may affect satellite safety
Yet, in space, similarly small fluctuations in the solar wind as it streams toward the Earth's magnetic shield actually can affect the speed and strength of…
MAVEN observes Mars moon Phobos in the mid- and far-ultraviolet
In late November and early December 2015, NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission made a series of close approaches to the Martian moon…
Salt flat indicates some of the last vestiges of Martian surface water
The study, published Thursday in the journal Geology, examined an 18-square-mile chloride salt deposit (roughly the size of the city of Boulder) in the…
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft completes first deep dip campaign
“During normal science mapping, we make measurements between an altitude of about 150 km and 6,200 km (93 miles and 3,853 miles) above the surface,” said Bruce…
Swedish instrument will make measurements when a comet passes Mars
“Noone has before made measurements when a comet passes so close by a planet”, says Associate Professor Mats Holmström at the Swedish Institute of Space…