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 Mich