Trending Now - Nasa's MAVEN Detects Unique Atmospheric Phenomenon on Mars

WHO:

Phys.org - Scientists involved in the discovery are part of the MAVEN mission team.

NASA - NASA is the organization behind the MAVEN mission.

WHAT:

Phys.org - Scientists identified a unique atmospheric effect on Mars known as the Zwan-Wolf effect.

NASA - The MAVEN mission made the first discovery of this atmospheric effect in Mars' atmosphere.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The observations were made in Mars' atmosphere.

WHEN:

Phys.org - The discovery was made in December 2023.

NASA - The discovery occurred during a solar storm.

WHY:

Phys.org - The phenomenon is known to occur in Earth's magnetosphere, suggesting similarities in atmospheric processes.

HOW:

Phys.org - The MAVEN mission used instruments to observe the atmospheric effect, where charged particles are squeezed along magnetic structures called flux tubes.

NASA - The instruments aboard MAVEN detected the atmospheric effect during the solar storm.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 23:23 UTC)

Scientists from the MAVEN mission team have made a groundbreaking discovery in Mars' atmosphere, identifying a unique phenomenon known as the Zwan-Wolf effect. This atmospheric effect, first detected during a solar storm in December 2023, shows similarities to processes occurring in Earth's magnetosphere. Using advanced instruments, the MAVEN mission observed how charged particles are funneled along magnetic structures called flux tubes, leading to this significant finding.