You might gestate the atmosphere of Earth to be a mass well map than that of any other satellite . However , the wind patterns of Mars ferment out to be much simpler than those of Earth , and combined with a bit of convenient luck , this means we now have a film of the prevailing currents in the upper Martian atmosphere that is more advanced than anything for our dwelling .
The atmosphere thin out with elevation , and Mars has so little tune to begin with that its upper layers , known as the thermosphere , are not far off a vacuum . Nevertheless , not only are there flatulency particles , mainly carbon copy dioxide , 120 - 300 kilometers ( 75 - 180 miles ) above the Martian surface , but they move to redistribute heat from the Sun , both from the daylight side to night and the equator to the poles .
The Martian thermosphere is so thin the MAVEN satellite can dive through it without burning up . Dr Mehdi Bennaof the Goddard Space Flight Center used the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer ( NGIMS ) legal document to sample the accelerator molecule on these passages , specify their speed and direction of travel . Benna report inSciencethe wind alter with the season , but are quite stable from one class to the next . The body of work may help excuse how Mars lost most of its atmosphere , and whether it was ever inhabitable .
" The refreshing thing is that the patterns that we watch over in the upper atm jibe globally what one would predict from manakin , " Benna said in astatement . " The physics works . " Nevertheless , the results contained some surprise , notably the sizing of curt - terminal figure variation , and how influential mountains and valleys are even far overhead .
" [ Topography ] create waves – ripple effects that flow up to the upper air , " Benna said . “ On Earth , we see the same variety of waves , but not at such high altitudes . That was the self-aggrandising surprise , that these can go up to 280 klick gamey . "
The mathematical function results from Benna ’s realization that if NGIMS was swung backwards and onward “ like a windscreen windshield wiper ” on MAVEN ’s transition through the thermosphere it could detect passing particles ' speed . Not surprisingly , he encountered resistance from the NASA squad in care of MAVEN – if something went wrong it was not like a technician could pop over to Mars to fix it . Nevertheless , the note value of the potential observations overcame the desire to preserve the orbiter at all price , and MAVEN spend two daylight a month for almost three years try the movement , as well as report , of Mars ' atmosphere .
Benna initially want to apply his theme to the cogitation of Earth ’s upper standard pressure , but no suitable instrument was in eye socket at the prison term . Although the greater atmospheric complexness will supply some challenge to an Earth missionary post , the viability of the projection has been demonstrated and lessons learned on Mars are likely to be useful here .
