"Sun's Plasma Surprise Could Illuminate Mars with Eerie Auroras"

A coronal mass ejection (CME) from a mysterious explosion on the sun's far side is heading towards Mars and could trigger faint ultraviolet auroras and potentially erode part of the Martian atmosphere. The CME, detected after an M-class solar flare, is expected to hit Mars on September 1. Mars has a thin atmosphere and a weak magnetosphere, making its auroral displays weak compared to Earth. Major CMEs could further strip away the planet's faint atmosphere. The solar maximum, when major Martian auroras could become more likely, is forecasted to arrive sooner and be more powerful than expected.