Solar Wind Causes Atmospheric Loss on Mars Through Giant Waves

A new study, utilizing data from the MAVEN and Tianwen-1 missions, reveals that the solar wind is eroding Mars' atmosphere. This occurs through the formation of massive Kelvin-Helmholtz waves along the planet's outer edge, which create plasma clouds that carry atmospheric particles into space. This mechanism, concentrated on one side of Mars, may have significantly contributed to its transition from a potentially habitable world to its current cold, dry state.