Title: NASA’s InSight Lander Uncovers Evidence of Liquid Core on Mars
Subtitle: RISE experiment sheds light on the composition and structure of the Red Planet’s interior.
Date: [Current Date]
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Mars may be known for its frozen, desolate landscape, but NASA’s InSight lander has made a groundbreaking discovery before succumbing to a dust storm. InSight’s RISE (Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment) has provided possible evidence of a liquid core beneath the planet’s surface, offering crucial insights into the composition and structure of Mars.
The debate over whether Mars has a solid or liquid core has long intrigued scientists. While direct observation is impossible, InSight’s seismometer, SEIS, and RISE instrument attempted to unravel this mystery. SEIS was the first to detect potential signs of a liquid core, while RISE measured minuscule changes in Mars’ rotation caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Sun.
A study recently published in Nature by the researchers behind RISE reveals that InSight’s radio tracking data contradicts the existence of a solid inner core and unveils internal mass anomalies within the planet’s mantle.
Utilizing radio signals transmitted to Earth, RISE tracked the movement of Mars’ axis known as nutations. By precisely measuring the distance and direction of these nutations, researchers gained valuable information about Mars’ internal composition. However, detecting these changes through radio signals posed a significant challenge due to dust storms and variations in the planet’s rotational speed.
To ensure accurate results, researchers needed to determine InSight’s precise landing location on Mars. The first RISE data was processed by radio scientist Sebastien Le Maistre of the Royal Observatory of Belgium, who uploaded a positional estimate to the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which snapped an image confirming InSight’s precise location.
The nutations detected by RISE indicated a retrograde wobble in Mars’ axis, a phenomenon consistent with a liquid core beneath a solid mantle. The researchers point out that the nutation analysis based on radiometric measurements is the only technique to directly estimate the properties of Mars’ core.
Further analysis suggested that the Martian core is likely composed of a liquid iron and sulfur alloy, continually undergoing convection with hotter fluid rising and cooler fluid sinking. In contrast to Earth’s core, which has a solid inner core and a liquid outer core, Mars’ core is thought to be entirely liquid.
Moreover, researchers propose the possibility of a molten lower mantle, which could explain the size and shape of Mars’ core. These anomalies, regions with varying material density, appear to be located at greater depths below Mars’ surface. They may contribute to the planet’s slight flattening during rotation.
Looking ahead, Le Maistre and his team plan to analyze more RISE data, including anomalies and the liquid core. With a wealth of untouched data from InSight, there is immense potential to unlock further insights about Mars’ geological and atmospheric features. RISE aims to establish an orientation and rotation model that can serve as a scientific reference for the wider community.
While InSight may have concluded its mission prematurely due to the dust storm, its groundbreaking findings pave the way for future missions and highlight the remarkable potential for unraveling the deep secrets of the Red Planet.
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Works Cited:
Nature, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06150-0