Powerful Solar Flare Detected on Mars
On the Red Planet, radiation detectors of the NASA Curiosity rover recorded an extremely powerful solar flare on May 20. This event, similar to the record-breaking flare of energy and particles in space, is a result of the Sun’s activity at the peak of its 11-year cycle.
Unlike Earth, which has a magnetic field to protect it from radiation, Mars has lost its magnetic field. This means that charged particles have a significant impact on the Martian surface. The incident with the flare showed how challenging it is to withstand such conditions even for the rover.
Challenges for Technology and Researchers
«The rover recorded the largest radiation spike since its landing in 2012!» — stated on Curiosity’s Twitter account. This indicates a significant challenge for the technology and researchers working on Mars.