Check out the ultraviolet “nightglow” in the Martian atmosphere 🤩⁣ ⁣ Data from NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft has revealed that the Martian sky pulses in ultraviolet light at night. The nightglow was measured at about 70 kilometers (approximately 40 miles) altitude by the Imaging UltraViolet Spectrograph instrument on the MAVEN spacecraft.⁣ ⁣ The brightening is caused by increased downwards winds which enhance the chemical reaction creating nitric oxide which causes the glow. The results are being used to illuminate complex circulation patterns in the Martian atmosphere.⁣ ⁣ The brightenings occur regularly after sunset on Martian evenings during fall and winter seasons, and fade by midnight. Green and white false colors represent the intensity of ultraviolet light, with white being the brightest. A simulated view of the Mars globe is added digitally for context.⁣ ⁣ Credits: NASA/MAVEN/Goddard Space Flight Center/CU/LASP⁣ ⁣ #nasa #space #Mars #exploration #MAVEN #solarsystem