Mars reveals a solid core similar to Earth's
- Scientists based their findings on seismic readings from NASA's InSight lander, which recorded over 1,300 marsquakes.
- The core of Mars was found to be solid, with a liquid outer core surrounding it.
- These findings suggest critical insights into Mars' geological history and its magnetic field.
In a significant development for planetary science, scientists announced that Mars has a solid core, identified through seismic readings from NASA’s InSight lander. The research team, led by Daoyuan Sun from the University of Science and Technology of China, based their findings on the analysis of over 1,300 recorded marsquakes before the lander's shutdown in 2022. The InSight lander, which arrived on Mars in 2018, provided crucial data regarding the seismic activity of the planet, revealing that Mars’ inner core extends approximately 380 miles (613 kilometers) from the center and is surrounded by a liquid outer core. Prior suggestions implied that Mars might have a liquid core, but the new findings indicate otherwise, shedding light on the planet’s internal structure. The inner core is relatively small, accounting for one-fifth of Mars' radius, similar in proportion to Earth's core, suggesting a parallel in core formation between the two planets. The outer core, however, spans an area much larger, reaching up to 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers) from the center. The research also raises questions about the conditions of the outer core. There are uncertainties regarding the presence of solid materials within the molten outer core and the possibility of a “mushy zone” at the boundary between the inner and outer cores. As the InSight lander is no longer operational, further seismic data is unattainable, emphasizing the need for an extensive network of seismometers to gain additional insight into Martian geology. Additionally, the findings suggest implications for Mars’s magnetic field history. Currently, Mars does not possess a magnetic field, which could be attributed to the slow crystallization process of its solid core over time. Understanding the structure and composition of both the inner and outer Martian core is vital not only to comprehend Mars' geological past but also to provide insights into its magnetic activity and future explorations. Further research and modeling will be required to develop a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics.