According to Science Alert, scientists have found that the structure of the Martian core is quite similar to that of Earth’s core. However, it is a little easier to compress and less dense.
Violent tremors on Mars have been detected for the first time through its dense core. This gives scientists many tools to determine exactly where the core of Mars is made.
How to know the composition of the core of Mars
Exploring the Martian core is not an easy process.
Exploring the Martian core is not an easy process. (Picture: future).
According to seismic data obtained from InSight probe NASA for four years, The central part of Mars is a liquid iron alloy, containing large amounts of sulfur and oxygen.
The above information has helped scientists better understand the history of Mars and why Earth is different from this planet.
Geologist Vedran Lekic from the University of Maryland said: “In 1906, scientists first discovered the Earth’s core by observing how seismic waves from earthquakes are affected as they pass through the core. More than 100 years later, we are applying our knowledge of seismic waves on Mars. With the InSight probe, we are finally discovering what is at the center of Mars and what makes it so different from Earth.”
Accordingly, vibration is not simply a rumble occurring inside an object. Currently, many scientists have applied the technology to use them as a kind of sound x-ray.
Specifically, shock wave will propagate from the point of origin outward, bouncing off a planet, moon, or star before stopping in a quiet state. Through the process by which they pass through and reflect off certain materials, scientists can create maps of an object’s internal composition.
During its tracking of Mars’ interior, InSight detected hundreds of earthquakes, providing useful information and details. Since then, scientists have been able to draw the first detailed map of the core of Mars and learn more about its inner workings.
In 2021, Sight recorded 2 terrible events on Mars. It is a strong earthquake and a meteorite impact shake the red planet. These events take place in the opposite direction and quite far from ƖnSight. InSight therefore had the opportunity to analyze different types of waves, in particular those which travel around Mars and those which cross it.
These waves have the function of providing information on the density and compressibility of the different materials they pass through, thus helping the team of planetary scientist Jessica Irving, from the University of Aristotle (United Kingdom), to gradually discover the structure of the Martian core.
Therefore, The outer core of Mars is determined to be liquid, the inner core is solid, and the innermost core is denser. furthermore, Also in the Martian core is a very high percentage of mixed light elements.
Specifically, about one-fifth of its weight is made up mainly of sulfur elements, with a small amount of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. This means that the Martian core is less dense and easier to compress than the Earth’s core.
The InSight spacecraft is conducting an exploration around Mars. (Photo: NASA Mars Exploration).
Increase the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life
People have known for a long time that Mars has no magnetic field around the planet. Meanwhile, on Earth, the magnetic field prevents the atmosphere and water from seeping into space. It’s called geodynamowas born in the heart of the Earth.
As a result, first, heat will move from the inner core to the outer core, forming alternating currents and twisting into different shapes due to the rotation of the planet. Thus, the magnetic field is formed and maintained.
As for Mars, scientists have already simulated the planet’s core and suggested that the presence of lighter elements in the core could be responsible for the loss of the magnetic field.
“In a sense, studying the Martian core is like a puzzle. For example, there are small traces of hydrogen in the Martian core. This means that there must be certain conditions that allow hydrogen to exist. there and we need to know those conditions to understand how Mars evolved.Mr. Lekic said.
Scientific alert Discovering the composition of the Martian core could help increase the search for life beyond the solar system. Mars and Earth are similar in many ways, so understanding how they differ and why will slow down the process of finding the planet most likely to host life.
Article Source: Zing
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According to Science Alert, scientists have found that the structure of the Martian core is quite similar to that of Earth’s core. However, it is more compressible and less…
