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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Measurement and Analysis of Atomic Hydrogen and Diatomic Molecular AlO, C2, CN, and TiO Spectra Following Laser-induced Optical Breakdown
Published on: February 14, 2014
Atomic hydrogen on Mars: measurements at solar minimum.
New data from the Copernicus Observatory reveals significantly higher atomic hydrogen in Mars's upper atmosphere during solar minimum. This finding impacts our understanding of planetary atmospheric escape processes.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Atmospheric Science
- Astrophysics
Background:
- Understanding the composition and dynamics of planetary upper atmospheres is crucial for atmospheric escape studies.
- Atomic hydrogen plays a key role in atmospheric escape mechanisms on Mars.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine atomic hydrogen concentrations in the Martian upper atmosphere during solar minimum.
- To compare these concentrations with previous measurements taken during solar maximum.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Copernicus Orbiting Astronomical Observatory to measure Mars's Lyman-alpha emission.
- Integrated Copernicus data with in situ temperature measurements from the Viking mission.
Main Results:
- Obtained the first measurements of atomic hydrogen concentrations in Mars's upper atmosphere at solar minimum.
- Found atomic hydrogen number density at the Martian exobase is approximately 60 times greater than previously estimated from solar maximum data.
- Copernicus results align with Hunten's diffusion-limited hydrogen escape hypothesis.
Conclusions:
- Solar activity significantly influences atomic hydrogen abundance in the Martian upper atmosphere.
- The findings support the theory of diffusion-limited escape for atomic hydrogen from Mars.
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