It became known that is located in the core of Mars

From earthquakes there is not only harm in the formdestruction, but also benefit. Only thanks to them, scientists learn about the structure of the Earth. For example, by observing how seismic waves propagate through the bowels of the Earth, in 1906, scientists were able to detect the Earth's metal core for the first time. Thanks to seismic activity on other planets, you can learn about their structure in the same way. Therefore, NASA scientists have long been monitoring the seismic activity of Mars using the InSight umbrella. However, it was only possible to explore the core in 2021. The data obtained allowed scientists not only to determine the structure of the nucleus, but also to find out in detail what composition it has.

Scientists have discovered what the core of Mars is made of

How scientists learned about the structure of Mars

Before getting from the epicenter to the surfaceplanets, seismic waves pass through various materials. Thanks to modern technology, scientists can understand what rocks they have passed through just by how the nature of the waves changes. In particular, they can be used to understand what density and plasticity the rocks in the bowels have. Based on the characteristics obtained, scientists can draw conclusions about what kind of breed they are.

During its observation, InSightrecorded hundreds of earthquakes, or rather, marsquakes, which allowed scientists to obtain detailed information about the bowels of the red planet and map its structure. In addition, researchers have received a lot of new data regarding the seismic activity of Mars.

The Mars probe recorded two powerful quakes in 2021, which helped to explore the core of the planet

It must be said that marsquakes have not beenallowed to explore the core of the planet, as they were too weak. However, in 2021, two seismic events of incredible power occurred. The epicenter of these quakes was located on the opposite side of the planet, thanks to which InSight was able to record two types of waves - those that circled the planet along its surface, as well as those that passed through its bowels, including the core.

What is the composition of the core of Mars

According to the latest data, the core of the Red Planetliquid and is an alloy of iron with an abundance of oxygen and sulfur. Moreover, in structure it differs from the core of the Earth, which is a “layer cake”. Recall that the outer core of our planet is liquid, the inner is solid, and the core is even denser. The core of Mars, judging by the latest data, is completely liquid and homogeneous. The researchers report this in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Approximately one-fifth of the Red Planet's core issulfur, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. Moreover, most of the impurities in the Martian core are sulfur. The core of our planet does not contain such a large number of light elements.

The core of the Earth, unlike the Martian, consists of several layers and does not contain such a large amount of light impurities.

Why did Mars lose its magnetic field?

It is quite possible that it is in the composition of the nucleus that liesthe secret of why the Earth is a planet of abundant water, and Mars is a dry and lifeless desert. Recall that initially the red planet was not like that - it contained rivers and oceans. Perhaps it would have remained so to this day, but at some point Mars lost the magnetosphere, and after it the atmosphere. For this reason, all the water simply evaporated into space.

True, according to one version, part of the water onMarse "petrified". Moreover, recent data suggest that water on Mars has existed for one billion years longer than previously thought. But, in any case, the planet eventually dried up.

As you know, the magnetic field around the planetforms a metal core. According to scientists, it was the light elements in the core of Mars that could play an important role in the fact that the planet lost its dynamo that creates a magnetic field.

Once Mars also had a magnetosphere, but then the "dynamo" stopped

Along with new data, scientists have alsonew questions. As we said above, the study showed that the core of Mars contains hydrogen. This means that during the formation of the core of the planet, conditions were present that allowed hydrogen to be there. Now scientists will have to figure out what those conditions were. By the way, earlier we said that hydrogen is also present in the core of the Earth.

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In general, the results of the study willscientists to understand the history of the planet and the reasons why it changed to its current state. Also, according to the researchers, this information will be useful in the search for life outside the solar system. That is, scientists will be able to determine which planets are most likely to contain life.