Scientists find unexpected Earth-like pattern in Mars atmosphere

Scientists detected the Zwan-Wolf effect in Mars' ionosphere, normally seen only on planets with strong magnetic fields. The phenomenon was recorded from NASA's MAVEN mission data during a coronal mass ejection in December 2023.

• Zwan-Wolf effect found in Mars ionosphere at about 130 km altitude
• Observed during a coronal mass ejection in December 2023
• Data collected by NASA's MAVEN mission over 11 years
• Effect too weak to protect atmosphere from solar wind