How Mars is losing its atmosphere

The Curiosity rover on Mars has been taking a look at the Martian atmosphere to reveal that it is still an active environment. In a recent press release, scientists from JPL/NASA describe new data which they released at the European Geosciences Union 2013 General Assembly which is being held in Vienna.

The ratios of ³⁶Ar and ³⁸Ar in the atmosphere, measured using the SAM instrument, confirm that the lighter isotope has been lost preferentially from the upper atmophere. Further measurements were taken at lower levels on the temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure.

The rover will continue to study the local environment in the Gale Crater during April, before new instructions are beamed from Earth after the passing of the Mars solar conjunction, which partially blocks Mars from the Earth.