{
  "id": 5324667,
  "title": "Unveiling Atmospheric Circulation on Mars with Magnetic Field Data",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/unveiling-atmospheric-circulation-on-mars-with-magnetic-field-data",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-03T12:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Eos",
    "slug": "eos",
    "url": "https://eos.org/editor-highlights/unveiling-atmospheric-circulation-on-mars-with-magnetic-field-data"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have revealed the intricate atmospheric circulation on Mars by studying magnetic field data from NASA's MAVEN satellite. Researchers from AGU Advances developed a machine learning model called \"Neural-Curlometer,\" which uses Ampere's Law and Gauss's Law to analyze the magnetic field generated by electrical currents in the Martian ionosphere.\n\nThe model demonstrated that these currents form a hemispheric, seasonally varying vortex system at altitudes between 125-220 km. Interestingly, the direction of this vortex system changes near an altitude of 160 km. Furthermore, the density of these currents correlates with the crustal magnetic field on Mars.\n\nRemarkably, the hemispheric vortex pattern closely aligns with the predicted atmospheric wind circulation on Mars. Additionally, this pattern also matches the transport driven by the Coriolis force, which is associated with seasonal CO2 condensation at the Martian poles.\n\nThis data-driven proxy for atmospheric circulation at ionospheric altitudes could serve as a crucial new input for Martian general circulation models. The findings are detailed in a paper by Delcourt and Mittelholz published in AGU Advances.",
  "summary": "Not only can the magnetometer on NASA’s MAVEN satellite track magnetic fields on Mars; it can also track atmospheric circulation – using machine learning.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}