Mars Atmosphere Loss: Sputtering Caught in the Act

For the first time, scientists have directly observed atmospheric sputtering, a key driver of Mars' ongoing atmospheric erosion. Nine years of satellite data revealed a correlation between argon density at high altitudes and the orientation of the solar wind's electric field, confirming sputtering and showing its strength is over four times higher than previously predicted. Solar storms dramatically increased the effect. This discovery is crucial for understanding Mars' atmospheric and water loss, and the habitability of early Solar System planets. The research is published in Science Advances.