Researchers at the University of Bristol have shed new light on the origin and formation of Mars with data from NASA’s Inside rover, a robotic spacecraft designed to explore the interior of Mars.
British news agency PA Media reported that the study revealed insights into the Red Planet’s liquid core, increasing understanding of its formation and evolution.
The research reveals the first observations of sound waves traveling through the Martian core, resulting in the discovery that it is slightly more intense than previously thought.
Also, measurements of this sound energy, known as seismic waves, indicate that Mars’ core is smaller than previously thought and is composed of iron and other elements.
The results are so impressive, the researchers say, that the mission was initially planned to last one Martian year (the equivalent of two years on Earth).
Although storms on Mars accelerated dust accumulation and reduced power for NASA’s Inside rover, the space agency extended its stay so collection of geophysical data, including earthquake signals, continued until late last year. Lead author Dr Jessica Irving, senior lecturer in earth sciences at the University of Bristol, said: ‘The extra working hours have certainly paid off. We are the first to observe seismic waves traveling through the core of Mars.
The study, led by researchers at the University of Bristol, used data from NASA’s Inside rover, a robotic spacecraft designed to explore the interior of Mars, to trace seismic waves traveling through the planet’s core through shallow regions. .
The research reveals the first observations of sound waves traveling through the Martian core, resulting in the discovery that it is slightly more intense than previously thought.
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