Chemical reactions high in Mars’ atmosphere rip apart water molecules
The process, which takes four hours on average, helps explain why Mars loses water so fast
![illustration of Mars surface](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/111120_lg_mars-brief_feat_rev.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Mars is so arid because its water is constantly escaping into space, as seen in this illustration. A new study suggests this process can occur higher in the atmosphere and more quickly than previously thought.
GSFC/NASA, LASP/CU