Mars has liquid core
Posted: Fri, Mar 7, 2003, 10:38 AM ET (1538 GMT)
Planetary scientists reported Thursday that they believe the planet Mars has a molten core like the Earth and Venus, a discovery that could mean the planet is more geologically active than once thought. JPL scientists closely watched the orbit of the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft as solid-body tides caused by the Sun made minute changes in the spacecraft's orbit. The planet's tidal bulge is large enough, they found, that the planet's core must be at least partially liquid and not completely solid, as some scientists believed. That data, combined with archived data from the Mars Pathfinder mission, also showed that the planet's core is about half the size of the planet itself, similar to the Earth and Venus, and also contains some lighter elements, such as sulfur, in addition to heavier elements like iron. A liquid core could provide an internal heat source for volcanic activity and keep subterranean deposits of water from freezing.
Planetary scientists reported Thursday that they believe the planet Mars has a molten core like the Earth and Venus, a discovery that could mean the planet is more geologically active than once thought. JPL scientists closely watched the orbit of the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft as solid-body tides caused by the Sun made minute changes in the spacecraft's orbit. The planet's tidal bulge is large enough, they found, that the planet's core must be at least partially liquid and not completely solid, as some scientists believed. That data, combined with archived data from the Mars Pathfinder mission, also showed that the planet's core is about half the size of the planet itself, similar to the Earth and Venus, and also contains some lighter elements, such as sulfur, in addition to heavier elements like iron. A liquid core could provide an internal heat source for volcanic activity and keep subterranean deposits of water from freezing.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, January 26
Rheinmetall and OHB in talks over Starlink-style service for German army
Financial Times — 5:19 am ET (1019 GMT) Colorado Springs must reject political games over Space Command
Colorado Springs Gazette — 5:19 am ET (1019 GMT) Blue Origin wastewater permit public meeting coming up Friday at UF/IFAS building
Florida Today — 5:16 am ET (1016 GMT) Central Coast Residents Greeted with Aggressive Boom from SpaceX Launch Sunday Morning
Santa Barbara (CA) Edhat — 5:12 am ET (1012 GMT) SpaceX Rocket Carries Starlink Satellites Into Orbit from Vandenberg
Noozhawk — 5:11 am ET (1011 GMT) |
