Seismic research has confirmed that the internal structure of Mars is more similar to Earth’s, changing our understanding of the planet’s history and the reasons behind the disappearance of its magnetic field.
An international team of researchers has solved one of the oldest mysteries in planetary science: the structure of Mars’s core. By analyzing data from NASA’s InSight mission and using computer modeling, they showed that the Red Planet’s core is an alloy of iron with nickel and light elements, resembling Earth’s core, though with different proportions.
Previously, it was thought that the Martian core was much lighter and richer in sulfur, but the new data has disproved these hypotheses. The scientists suggest that Mars’s dense core once sustained a powerful magnetic field, which eventually disappeared. The loss of this magnetic shield left the atmosphere vulnerable to solar wind, leading to the loss of water and the planet’s transformation into a cold desert.
The discovery has both fundamental and practical significance. Knowing the core’s composition helps scientists more accurately model Mars’s thermal history, predict its geological processes, and compare its evolution with Earth’s.
According to the researchers, the new results provide a key to understanding why Earth has maintained conditions for life while Mars has not. Scientists are now planning future missions that will allow for an even deeper study of the Red Planet’s interior.
