Quickfire questions
Do any of the environmental factors explain the seasonal behaviour?
No. None of the environmental factors, including surface and air temperatures, water vapour and humidity and dust or UV at and above the surface can explain the observed seasonal behaviour in oxygen.
How does Mars' atmosphere compare to Earth’s?
Here on Earth, we have a dense atmosphere made up of five layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere and the exosphere. Mars' atmosphere is one per cent of ours and so it's very thin.
Has Mars' atmosphere always been thinner than Earth's?
Studies suggest that Mars once had an atmosphere as thick as Earth's, but that gases have been lost to space over time, with ions getting picked up by the solar wind. Mars used to be warm and wet rather than incredibly dry and cold as it is today.
Can humans benefit from Mars' atmosphere?
Yes. There has been a lot of thought given to using carbon dioxide, which is in great abundance within the atmosphere, for the creation of rocket fuel that would power humans back from any future manned missions.