Mars Wind Currents Reveal a Surprising Feature

Mars Wind Currents Reveal a Surprising Feature

MAVEN is the first spacecraft specifically designed to study the Mars upper atmosphere, in order to better understand the evolution of its climate. By measuring windspeed and direction near the top of the atmosphere, MAVEN has discovered that high-altitude wind currents are being disturbed by terrain features far below. This unexpected and surprising finding means that MAVEN can sense the presence of mountains and valleys on the surface of Mars while skimming the edge of space.

Universal Production Music: "Glacial Shifts" by James Joshua Otto

Credit: NASA/Goddard/MAVEN/CU Boulder/University of Michigan
Dan Gallagher (USRA): Producer
Greg Shirah (NASA/GSFC): Lead Data Visualizer
Jonathan North (USRA): Lead Animator
Ernie Wright (USRA): Visualizer
Horace Mitchell (NASA/GSFC): Visualizer
Michael Lentz (USRA): Animator
Walt Feimer (KBRwyle): Animator
Chris Smith (USRA): Animator
John Blackwell (LPI): Animator
Dan Gallagher (USRA): Narrator
Michael Lentz (USRA): Art Director
Mehdi Benna (UMBC): Lead Scientist
Kali Roeten (UM): Scientist
Paul Mahaffy (NASA/GSFC): Support
Bruce Jakosky (LASP): Principal Investigator
Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support