Through seismic data gathered by NASA's InSight lander, a group of international scientists has discovered a thin layer of molten silicates surrounding Mars's core. This finding could offer new insights into how Mars formed, how it has changed over time, and why it is now a dry and barren planet. Silicates are common minerals found in rocks and are key components of planetary interiors. Understanding this molten layer may help scientists better understand the geological activity and internal structure of Mars.
The InSight probe, which landed on Mars in 2018, is equipped with a seismometer that detects "marsquakes." These seismic waves travel through the planet, allowing scientists to map its interior. The newly discovered layer of molten silicates lies just above the core and is much thinner than previously expected. This finding challenges some existing models of Mars's internal structure and suggests that the planet may have a more complex geological history than previously thought.
In addition to InSight's findings, the European Space Agency's Mars Express probe continues to provide valuable visual data of the Martian surface and atmosphere. The Visual Monitoring Camera (VMC), often referred to as the "webcam" of Mars Express, sends images of Mars back to Earth daily. On April 29, 2016, during a flyby, the probe captured images of the edge of the Red Planet, known as the "limb," revealing its extremely thin atmosphere.
The images also showed gravity waves—ripples in the atmosphere caused by disturbances such as wind or temperature changes. These waves can be seen as patterns in the clouds and provide scientists with information about atmospheric dynamics. Together, the seismic data from InSight and the visual data from Mars Express contribute to a more complete picture of Mars, helping researchers understand both its internal structure and atmospheric behavior.
Mars Researchers Discover Molten Silicate Layer Around Core Using Seismic Data
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