NASA’s Hubble, MAVEN Help Solve the Mystery of Mars’ Escaping Water

NASAs Hubble and MAVEN missions have contributed to unraveling the mystery of Mars` escaping water. By measuring hydrogen and deuterium atoms that escape into space, researchers can infer how much water was present on the Red Planet throughout its history. The combination of data from both spacecraft revealed that atmospheric conditions change rapidly, influencing the escape rates of these atoms. This finding challenges previous theories about how atoms diffuse through the atmosphere to escape, highlighting the dynamic nature of Martian atmospheric processes. These discoveries are not only crucial for understanding Mars but also shed light on the broader question of planetary habitability and evolution in our solar system and beyond.