![NASA: Mars has an unique invisible magnetotail in the whole solar system. [Image via Flickr/rneedes]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/21/660x290/b_502x220x82/nasa-mars-has-an-unique-invisible-magnetotail-in-the-whole-solar-system-image-via-flickrrneedes_1645685.jpg "NASA: Mars has an unique invisible magnetotail in the whole solar system. [Image via Flickr/rneedes]")
The researchers at NASA found an invisible magnetic tail behind the Red Planet with the help of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) spacecraft, according to a report by Daily Mail. The new discover surprised everyone after the scientists found a region on Mars which once held a lot of water. MAVEN spacecraft has completed its first year of orbital research around, but it will be examining the planet for further six years.
The new research revealed more evidence of life on Mars which could be the good news for Tesla owner Elon Musk who has the ultimate goal to land humans on the Red Planet.
Scientists measured the magnetotail of Mars with the help of magnetometer instrument of the MAVEN spacecraft.
Mars has hybrid magnetic tail
Our Earth and Venus also have such magnetic tails or magnetotails, but Mars has twisted tail which is different from both planets. The information collected by MAVEN showed that this twisted tail could be responsible for the thinning of the Red Planet's atmosphere. The researchers said that Mars once had a Magnetic Field similar to Earth, but it got lost billions of years ago.
The Sun has large magnetic fields which could harm the atmosphere of Earth. But, our planet also has a magnetic field which protects us from the deadly radiation from the Sun, Inverse reported.
The team of MAVEN said magnetotail behind Mars was formed by solar winds, containing highly charged particles which are connected with the magnetic field on the surface of the Red Planet. Hence, according to experts, magnetic reconnection is responsible for a twisted tail, Daily Mail wrote.
How is Mars losing its atmosphere?
The upper atmosphere of the Red Planet contains electrically charged ions (atoms or molecules) which travel along the planet's magnetic field lines.
These particles flush out into space from the path created by magnetic reconnection process through the magnetotail. In this whole process, some kind of energy also releases.
A researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Gina DiBraccio said, "Our model predicted that magnetic reconnection will cause the Martian magnetotail to twist 45 degrees." He also added that Mars is complicated and interesting at the same time.
He noted that the magnetic field of Mars is unique in the entire Solar System.
The team members of MAVEN said that they would continue collecting data related to Mars' magnetic tail to check how it influences the rotation of the Red Planet.
