"A specially equipped Boeing 747 discovered atomic oxygen in the upper atmosphere of Mars," reports NASA.
In California, a NASA airplane made measurements called the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). According to NASA, using the device on board the aircraft, they found atomic oxygen in the mesosphere of the planet.
"Atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of Mars is notoriously difficult to measure," said Pamela Marcum, a scientist at the SOFIA project, in a statement. “In order to observe the far infrared wavelength necessary to detect atomic oxygen, the researchers had to rise above the Earth’s atmosphere and use highly sensitive instruments, in this case a spectrometer. SOFIA provides just such opportunities.” Aircraft SOFIA, which makes measurements of the atmosphere of MARS, conducts its research during the flight at an altitude of between 37000 and 45000 feet.
On Earth, two oxygen atoms joined together form the O2 that we breathe. However, atomic oxygen has only one oxygen atom. The last time atomic oxygen was discovered on the Red Planet was due to the mission of Viking and Mariner.
"Atomic oxygen affects other gases in the atmosphere of Mars and, therefore, has a significant impact on the atmosphere of the planet as a whole," said NASA.
