Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A powerful solar storm originating from sunspot AR3697 impacted Mars, demonstrating significant radiation challenges for future colonists. The event was observed on May 20, revealing critical data on Martian atmospheric and surface conditions.
The storm began with an X12 solar flare, one of the strongest on the classification scale, followed by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that propelled superhot solar plasma toward Mars at millions of miles per hour.
Data from NASA's MAVEN orbiter, Mars Odyssey orbiter, and Curiosity rover were pivotal in capturing the event's effects, providing valuable insights for scientists studying space weather and its impact on Mars.
MAVEN recorded widespread auroras on Mars, a contrast to Earth where auroras are confined to high latitudes due to its magnetic field. Mars lacks a global magnetic field, resulting in auroras visible across the entire planet.
Curiosity's Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) measured the radiation dose from the storm, registering about 8,100 micrograys. This level is equivalent to 30 chest X-rays and is the highest recorded during Curiosity's mission.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Mars Odyssey's star camera was temporarily knocked offline by the charged particles. Despite this, the orbiter continued to collect data on X-rays and gamma rays during the storm.
The "specks" and "streaks" seen in Curiosity’s camera images mirror what astronauts experience during radiation storms, indicating the intensity of the particle bombardment.
Ensuring the safety of future Mars colonists will require substantial shielding from radiation. Potential habitats could include cliffsides or lava tubes, which provide natural protection from solar and cosmic radiation.
Radiation also poses challenges for agriculture on Mars. Growing plants in lava tubes or caves, which offer shielding, might be difficult due to limited space and light, making sustainable food production a significant concern for future colonization efforts.