Scientists Discover Mars’ Solid Inner Core
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — In an exciting development for space enthusiasts, researchers announced that Mars has a solid inner core composed of metal, similar to Earth’s core. This finding comes from a Chinese-led team using data from NASA’s InSight lander, which recorded over 1,300 marsquakes before its shutdown in 2022.
The InSight lander, which touched down near the equator of Mars in 2018, provided key seismic readings that led to this discovery. Previous theories suggested that Mars might have a liquid core; however, the latest research suggests otherwise. Scientists now believe that the inner core, while relatively small, is indeed solid and surrounded by a liquid outer core.
According to the study, published in the journal Nature, the inner core extends about 380 miles (613 kilometers) from the center of Mars. Composed primarily of iron and nickel, it may also have lighter elements like oxygen mixed in. The outer core is much larger, ranging from 380 miles to potentially 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers) from the planet’s center.
Daoyuan Sun, a leading investigator from the University of Science and Technology of China, indicated that the crystallization of Mars’ inner core might have begun in the past and could still be happening today. He explained that initially, the core may have been completely liquid, and it’s uncertain whether the outer core contains any solid materials or if there could be a “mushy zone” at the boundary between the two cores.
The researchers based their findings on 23 weak marsquakes recorded by InSight, with epicenters ranging from about 740 to 1,465 miles (1,200 to 2,360 kilometers) from the lander. Sun pointed out that their results suggest Mars’ solid inner core makes up about one-fifth of the planet’s radius, echoing a similar ratio found in Earth. However, he cautioned that this similarity may be coincidental.
Nicholas Schmerr from the University of Maryland, who was not part of the study, praised the findings but noted that many questions about Mars’ core are still unresolved. With InSight out of operation, further exploration of marsquakes will not be possible, leaving gaps in our understanding of the planet’s geological structure.
Schmerr emphasized the need for more advanced modeling to clarify how the inner core formed and what it might indicate about Mars’ magnetic field history. Currently, Mars lacks a magnetic field, a situation that may be linked to the slow crystallization process of the planet’s solid core.
As Mars exploration continues, these findings help paint a clearer picture of our neighboring planet and its geological history, underscoring the importance of ongoing scientific inquiry into the cosmos.
