The rocky interior of Mars remains a mystery to humans, just as Earth does. However, two new studies have revealed startling discoveries that lead us to a better understanding of how Mars formed and evolved into the barren world we know today. According to what was published by the British newspaper “Daily Mail”, studies have revealed the presence of a previously unknown molten layer surrounding the heart of Mars. Scientists involved in these studies liken this layer to a “heating blanket.” This discovery indicates the possibility that the rocky core of Mars is smaller and denser than previously thought.
The findings in these studies have been described as “the most accurate estimates to date of Mars’ interior composition and structure.” According to Vedran Lekic, a professor of geology at the University of Maryland and co-author of one of the studies, this molten blanket not only insulates the heat emanating from the Martian core and prevents it from cooling, but also concentrates radioactive materials that generate heat as it decays.
It is known that the strength of magnetism plays an important role in protecting planets from strong solar winds, and according to previous beliefs, Mars had a magnetic field similar to that possessed by Earth. However, this field ceased billions of years ago, leaving behind only a few traces thanks to magnetized minerals in the Martian crust. Without magnetic protection, the Red Planet would have been highly vulnerable to the effects of the violent solar wind, losing all liquid water on its surface and making it unable to sustain the conditions necessary for life.
Lekic believes that the difference in internal composition between Mars and Earth is what explains the evolution of Mars as a dry, barren planet, while life evolved on Earth about 3.7 billion years ago. These scientific discoveries indicate the importance of studying the rocky interiors of planets as a means of understanding the origins of life and its development on the surface of Mars and other planets in the solar system.
FAQ:
Q: Is there still hope of finding traces of life on Mars?
A: Although these studies have not revealed the presence of life on Mars, our better understanding of the environmental conditions and geological formation of the planet contributes to increasing hopes of finding traces of hitherto unknown life.
Q: What is the expected impact of these discoveries on future Mars exploration?
A: This new scientific advance gives engineers and scientists responsible for Mars exploration programs a comprehensive view of the planet’s interior structure, enhancing the ability to design future missions and identify potential locations to search for historical evidence of life.
