A distinct green glow around the Red Planet Mars detected by an European spacecraft is the latest phenomenon that has sent netizens to a frenzy and prompted a flurry of discussions and memes as well. Interestingly, it is the first time that the phenomenon has been spotted on a world beyond Earth.
Detected by ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, the glow comes from oxygen atoms, which is present in the atmosphere of Mars, while interacting with sunlight.
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have observed a similar green glow around the Earth from space but found it quite faint. However, researchers have explained the difference between the two green hues.