This causes the release of bubbles of gas and magnetic fields that explode into space. Solar flares, which are strong but temporary releases of energy, are considered the solar system's biggest explosion. The explosion is equivalent to around 40 billion Hiroshima-size atomic bombs ("Primer on Space Weather"). Earth is protected from the dangers of space weather because of its atmosphere and magnetic field. Mars does not have a global magnetic field to protect the plane from effects of the Sun such as solar flares. Mars also does not have an ozone layer. These factors cause the planet's weather system to be erratic. Mars was not always without a magnetic field but for reasons unknown it stopped working 4 billion years ago (Mars Fact Sheet). Space storms do affect Earth, just in less severe ways than other planets. These storms can affect radio and electricity interference, leading to blackouts. They also cause problems for spacecraft observers and satellites that can cost around $200 million dollars to fix. Other possible hazards including disturbances of navigation systems for airplanes and ships, radiation hazards to humans, and climatic changes (Planetary Sciences at National Space Science Data Center). Despite the fact that Mars is half the size of Earth, it is the planet most similar to Earth, mainly in rotation rate and axial tilt of its orbit ("Mars Stats"). These two factors influence the weather and climate on both planets, so the more scientists learn about Mars the more they can learn about Earth.
Mars, also known as the "Red Planet", is very cold and dry. Though it is desert-like today, that was not always the case. There is currently no liquid water on the surface of Mars because of the low-pressure atmosphere and range of surface temperatures. Scientists believe volcanoes, plate tectonics, and the agents of water, wind, and ice have shaped Mars" surface just as they have on Earth (Holmes).
