Molten Martian core could explain red planet's magnetic quirks

Mars’ Magnetic Mystery: How a Molten Core Created a One-Sided Shield

Mars’ magnetic mystery may finally have a solution—scientists now think the Red Planet’s ancient magnetic field only existed in its southern hemisphere. A new study suggests this bizarre imbalance could be the result of a molten core and uneven internal heating that generated a powerful, lopsided magnetic field. This flips earlier Earth-like assumptions on their [...]

Mars' Liquid Core May Have Once Powered Only Half of its Magnetic Field

Learn about Mars' defunct magnetic field, which may have sustained life on the planet and covered only its southern hemisphere over 4 billion years ago.

How a Missing Inner Core May Have Split Mars' Magnetic Field in Two

Mars played by different rules than Earth when forming its magnetic field. Rather than generating magnetism with a solid core surrounded by liquid—Earth's approach—the Red Planet likely created its ancient magnetic shield with an entirely molten core. The post How a Missing Inner Core May Have Split Mars’ Magnetic Field in Two appeared first on Study Finds.

New photos from European Mars orbiter show dynamic, volcanic Red Planet terrain

The European Space Agency just released some new snapshots from its Mars Express orbiter that detail the dynamic terrain of the Red Planet's Acheron Fossae region.

Molten Martian core could explain red planet's magnetic quirks

Like Earth, Mars once had a strong magnetic field that shielded its thick atmosphere from the solar wind. But now only the magnetic imprint remains. What's long baffled scientists, though, is why this imprint appears most strongly in the southern half of the red planet.

A modern computer model, based on data from NASA InSight, offers an explanation for the mysterious “duplicity” of the Red Planet's magnetic field. A long time ago, billions of years ago, Mars had a powerful magnetic field that protected its thick atmosphere from external threats. However, over time, the planet's core lost heat, and the magnetic field weakened, leaving its “fingerprints” in the crust, especially noticeable in the southern hemisph…