Mars Turns Out to Be Very Similar to Earth – What Scientists Discovered

Researchers from NASA's MAVEN mission have found that auroras on Mars form by the same principle as on Earth, thanks to a miniature analog of the Dungey cycle in local crustal magnetic fields. The discovery expands understanding of solar wind interaction with the Martian atmosphere and differences in planetary evolution.

Researchers working with NASA's MAVEN mission have concluded that some types of auroras on Mars form by the same principle as similar phenomena in Earth's atmosphere. Scientists established that in areas of local magnetic fields in the Martian crust, a miniature analog of the Dungey cycle operates—a process that on Earth governs the movement of charged particles and contributes to the occurrence of auroras. The authors noted that they expected to find magnetic reconnection on Mars but were surprised by the similarity of the mechanism. Mars does not have a global magnetic field but has preserved ancient regions of magnetized crust about four billion years old, above which MAVEN recorded local auroras. The study used data from a magnetometer, a solar wind electron analyzer, and the STATIC instrument. The discovery expands understanding of solar wind interaction with the Martian atmosphere and helps explain why planetary evolution took different paths. The results are important for preparing future expeditions. The MAVEN mission ended in 2026 after losing communication, but the collected data continues to be used.