An eerie green glow appeared around Mars and scientists have just worked out why

A green ring of oxygen has been observed around Mars for the first time.

Mars is the only planet in the universe aside from Earth where such a phenomenon has been witnessed.

The glow was picked up by the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and is believed to have existed for the last 40 years.

Although this doesn't mean that astronauts will be able to breathe on the red planet, it will give astronomers better insight into Mars's seasonal changes.

The glow is a result of energetic electrons interacting with Mars's upper atmosphere. The same effect can be witnessed on Earth in the form of the Northern Lights.

Mars's green ring was welcomed into the solar system with the traditional human custom of making jokes.

What is 2020 throwing at us now?

Thankfully, Mars's green glow is just a natural phenomenon and probably nothing to worry about.