Mars experiences rare void as solar wind disappears, leaving scientists thrilled

NASA's MAVEN orbiter observed a rare event on Mars where the solar wind, a stream of charged particles and magnetic fields from the sun, disappeared, causing Mars's atmosphere to temporarily expand by thousands of kilometers. This phenomenon, last seen in 1999, was caused by a burst of high-speed solar wind from the sun that swept away the regular solar wind, leaving a void. Scientists believe studying this event can provide insights into the effects of solar events on human exploration of Mars and the erosion of Martian atmosphere. It also offers a glimpse into how rocky planets might appear around other stars.