6 Nov 2015

Where did Mars' atmosphere go ?

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 6 November 2015

Artist's Concept of MAVEN Observing Aurora on Mars

Artist's Concept of MAVEN Observing Aurora on Mars Photo: University of Colorado

NASA has just announced a new discovery suggesting powerful solar storms swept away Mars' atmosphere, transforming it into the arid, desert world it is today.

NASA's MAVEN mission has been orbiting the red planet and sampling its thin atmosphere for the last year.

Kathryn Ryan speaks with Associate research physicist at the University Of California Berkley, Dr Rob Lillis, who was involved in the MAVEN mission.