NASA's Mars Rovers Capture Unprecedented Solar Storm Activity

Recent solar storms have provided invaluable data on radiation exposure and Martian auroras, informing future astronaut missions.

Curiosity rover's cameras recorded charged particles from a major solar storm on May 20, creating visual artifacts.
Radiation levels from the storm would have exposed astronauts to doses equivalent to 30 chest X-rays.
Mars Odyssey and MAVEN orbiters observed significant impacts, including temporary instrument malfunctions and global auroras.
Scientists are using this data to plan protective measures for future Mars missions, such as utilizing natural landscape features.
The solar events highlight the need to understand space weather effects on Mars for safe human exploration.