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On June 17, NASA's MAVEN, or Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, will celebrate 1,000 Earth days in orbit around the Red Planet.
Since its launch in November 2013 and its orbit insertion in September 2014, MAVEN has been exploring the upper atmosphere of Mars. MAVEN is bringing insight to how the sun stripped Mars of most of its atmosphere, turning a planet once possibly habitable to microbial life into a barren desert world.
"MAVEN has made tremendous discoveries about the Mars upper atmosphere and how it interacts with the sun and the solar wind," said Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN principal investigator from the University of Colorado, Boulder. "These are allowing us to understand not just the behavior of the atmosphere today, but how the atmosphere has changed through time."
During its 1,000 days in orbit, MAVEN has made a multitude of exciting discoveries. Here is a countdown of the top 10 discoveries from the mission:
10. Imaging of the distribution of gaseous nitric oxide and ozone in the atmosphere shows complex behavior that was not expected, indicating that there are dynamical processes of exchange of gas between the lower and upper atmosphere that are not understood at present.
9. Some particles from the solar wind are able to penetrate unexpectedly deep into the upper atmosphere, rather than being diverted around the planet by the Martian ionosphere; this penetration is allowed by chemical reactions in the ionosphere that turn the charged particles of the solar wind into neutral atoms that are then able to penetrate deeply.
8. MAVEN made the first direct observations of a layer of metal ions in the Martian ionosphere, resulting from incoming interplanetary dust hitting the atmosphere. This layer is always present, but was enhanced dramatically by the close passage to Mars of Comet Siding Spring in October 2014.
7. MAVEN has identified two new types of aurora, termed "diffuse" and "proton" aurora; unlike how we think of most aurorae on Earth, these aurorae are unrelated to either a global or local magnetic field.
6. These aurorae are caused by an influx of particles from the sun ejected by different types of solar storms. When particles from these storms hit the Martian atmosphere, they also can increase the rate of loss of gas to space, by a factor of ten or more.
5. The interactions between the solar wind and the planet are unexpectedly complex. This results due to the lack of an intrinsic Martian magnetic field and the occurrence of small regions of magnetized crust that can affect the incoming solar wind on local and regional scales. The magnetosphere that results from the interactions varies on short timescales and is remarkably "lumpy" as a result.
4. MAVEN observed the full seasonal variation of hydrogen in the upper atmosphere, confirming that it varies by a factor of 10 throughout the year. The source of the hydrogen ultimately is water in the lower atmosphere, broken apart into hydrogen and oxygen by sunlight. This variation is unexpected and, as yet, not well understood.
3. MAVEN has used measurements of the isotopes in the upper atmosphere (atoms of the same composition but having different mass) to determine how much gas has been lost through time. These measurements suggest that 2/3 or more of the gas has been lost to space.
2. MAVEN has measured the rate at which the sun and the solar wind are stripping gas from the top of the atmosphere to space today, along with the details of the removal processes. Extrapolation of the loss rates into the ancient past -- when the solar ultraviolet light and the solar wind were more intense -- indicates that large amounts of gas have been lost to space through time.
1. The Mars atmosphere has been stripped away by the sun and the solar wind over time, changing the climate from a warmer and wetter environment early in history to the cold, dry climate that we see today.
"We're excited that MAVEN is continuing its observations," said Gina DiBraccio, MAVEN project scientist from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "It's now observing a second Martian year, and looking at the ways that the seasonal cycles and the solar cycle affect the system."
MAVEN began its primary science mission on November 2014, and is the first spacecraft dedicated to understanding Mars' upper atmosphere.
The goal of the mission is to determine the role that loss of atmospheric gas to space played in changing the Martian climate through time.
MAVEN is studying the entire region from the top of the upper atmosphere all the way down to the lower atmosphere so that the connections between these regions can be understood.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Authorities are investigating an early Friday morning structure fire in Clearlake that resulted in one fatality.
The fire began in a travel trailer or small motor home at Art's Trailer Park on Tuli Lane, according to Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta.
Sapeta said the fire was first dispatched at 4:55 a.m. Friday, with fire units getting to the scene within minutes.
At about 5 a.m., before firefighters arrived, there was a report of a large explosion, Sapeta said.
“The explosion was heard all the way in Lower Lake,” where Battalion Chief Charlie Diener reported hearing it, Sapeta said.
Lake County News received reports of the explosion, and Sapeta said there was a deluge of 911 calls as a result of it.
He said Lake County Fire and Cal Fire responded to the incident with a total of three engines, two medic units, a water tender and three chief officers.
The fire spread from the first trailer to a large debris pile nearby, and also destroyed a second structure, an adjacent trailer, Sapeta said.
It took firefighters about 20 minutes to contain the fire, with several hours of overhaul needed, Sapeta said.
On Friday morning, fire and Clearlake Police investigators were still at the scene, working to process it. Sapeta expected several more hours would be needed to complete the scene processing as part of determining the cause.
Sapeta said the fatality was in the first trailer where the fire started.
An individual from the second trailer was transported to the hospital for an unassociated medical emergency, he said.
Sapeta said the Red Cross was requested to help the second resident whose home was lost, and the organization was set to meet that individual at the hospital to arrange for temporary housing.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Northern California is expected to see several days of hot temperatures in the lead up to the official arrival of summer.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for parts of Northern California – including Lake County – from noon on Saturday through 8 p.m. on Tuesday due to an anticipated extended period of hot weather with near-record temperatures.
The specific Lake County forecast calls for temperatures in the low 90s on Friday, the mid 90s on Saturday and topping the century mark on Sunday, when the daytime is expected to be near 105 degrees.
Monday and Tuesday also are expected to see daytime temperatures at or just over 100 degrees, rolling back slightly into the high 90s through the rest of next week.
Throughout that period, nighttime temperatures are forecast to range between the low and high 60s.
Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta asked people to exercise caution and be fire safe as temperatures rise.
Sapeta and his crews were on the scene of a wildland fire in Clearlake on Thursday afternoon, and he said vegetation is extremely dry and prone to burning at this point.
He reminded people not to mow grass after 10 a.m. and to report any smoke as soon as they see it.
Sapeta also urged community members to be careful about their own health in the heat. He said to stay hydrated and to make sure pets are adequately protected from the heat.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Saturday, June 10, Habitat for Humanity celebrated the dedication of the Gwin family’s new house on Toyon street in Clearlake.
The home is the 21st that Habitat for Humanity has completed in Lake County.
The Gwins were joined by friends, family, and Habitat volunteers and staff to commemorate the receipt of their new home.
“God has given us such a blessing with this opportunity,” said John Gwin. “We are so grateful for the hard work everyone has put into helping us make this happen.”
His wife, Terra, added, “We thank Habitat so much for this chance. It means so much to our family to have a place of our own to come home to.”
If you would like to learn more about the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership program, or to pick up a preapplication, visit the organization’s office at 15312 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, or call 707-994-1100, Extension 106.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Sunday, June 18, the SPCA of Lake County will hold an open house for the community to come and see upgrades to its Kelseyville headquarters.
The open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the facility, located at 8025 Highway 29.
When the facility sustained significant damage due to a burst water pipe in the ceiling in December, the SPCA Board of Directors took the opportunity to give the facility a fresh new look and update some well-used equipment.
Businesses and community members stepped up to aid in the remodel, donating time and services, or deeply discounting the prices of their products.
The SPCA Board acknowledged and thanked the following people and businesses: Fischer Development, The Carpetman, Turner Insulation, Lake County Drywall, Kelseyville Lumber, Hardester’s Market, Pierce Electric, Konocti Computers, Winston Construction, Willy White, Running Springs Heating and Air, JD Medical Supply, Rebecca Bloomquist, Langley Construction, Adrian Andrews, Sustainable Furniture Inc. and Olga Martin-Steele.
Because of the generosity of these businesses and people, the building now has new floors, freshly painted walls, shiny new equipment and much more.
Last year, through Clearlake Pet Project – a partnership with Animal Refugee Response – 800 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered at the SPCA thanks to the generous grants from PetSmart charities and Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch.
This year, Clearlake Pet Project is back bigger and stronger as PetSmart charities renewed the grant for additional 1,000 dogs and cats.
Applications can be found on the Animal Refugee Response Web site as well as the SPCA of Lake County Web site.
The SPCA of Lake County continues to provide low cost vaccinations, microchipping and more at its monthly vaccination clinic held on the third Sunday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. There will be a vaccination clinic on Sunday before the open house.
During the open house, members of the public will be provided light refreshments and will have the opportunity to meet the board of directors, tour the facility, and hear about the great work that is taking place.
As always, the SPCA of Lake County is grateful for public donations and relies on public support to continue its mission.
If you are unable to visit the SPCA, but would like to donate, the mailing address is P.O. Box 784, Clearlake CA 95422.
Questions can be directed to the email address
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Highway Patrol will welcome its newest class of academy graduates at a Friday ceremony.
The CHP will swear in 129 new officers during a 10 a.m. graduation ceremony at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
Throughout 28 weeks of training, these men and women have been preparing to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.
California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Kelly and CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow will joint friends and families of the graduating CHP cadets.
After the ceremony, family members will pin badges on the newly sworn officers.
Following Friday’s graduation ceremony, the new officers will serve in communities throughout the state.
One of those areas that will welcome a new officer is Lake County.
“The Clear Lake Area will be receiving one new officer from this graduating class,” Jaime Coffee, a CHP public information officer, told Lake County News.