Skip to main content

A massive solar storm hits Mars, revealing a risk for future astronauts on the red planet

·1 min

Image
When a solar storm hit Mars in May, it caused auroras and an influx of charged particles and radiation on the planet. This activity is due to the sun nearing the peak of its 11-year cycle, known as solar maximum. Solar activity in recent months has included X-class flares and coronal mass ejections. These storms also reached Earth, resulting in colorful auroras in unusual locations. Astronomers used orbiters and rovers on Mars to study the effects of the solar storm and gain insights into the radiation levels astronauts may experience on the planet.