"InSight's Surprising Findings: Mars' Mysterious Liquid Guts Revealed"

1 min read
Source: Ars Technica
"InSight's Surprising Findings: Mars' Mysterious Liquid Guts Revealed"
Photo: Ars Technica
TL;DR

NASA's InSight lander, before succumbing to a dust storm, provided evidence suggesting that Mars has a liquid core. Using its RISE instrument, which measures changes in Mars' rotation, researchers detected wobbles in the planet's axis that indicate the presence of a liquid core. Further analysis suggests that the Martian core is likely made of an alloy of liquid iron and sulfur, constantly undergoing convection. The findings also suggest the possibility of a molten lower mantle, which could explain anomalies in the size and shape of Mars' core and surface.

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