NASA’s MAVEN Detects “Whistler” Radio Signal in Martian Ionosphere

Researchers detect a lightning-like “whistler” radio signal in the Martian ionosphere using data from NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. The detection provides for the first evidence of such electromagnetic activity in the Martian ionosphere.

MAVEN Mission (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN):

Dimension	Key Details
Key finding	Detection provides for first evidence of “whistler” electromagnetic activity in the Martian ionosphere.
Mission description	First mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere.
Mission mandate	Determines how much of the Martian atmosphere has been lost over time.
Method	Measures the current rate of escape to space and gathers enough information about relevant processes to allow extrapolation backward in time.