What Lies at Mars’ Core? A Sulfuric Surprise Awaits

Quick Summary

• Scientists have discovered that Mars’ core formed much faster than earth’s-within a few million years after the solar system’s formation.
• A NASA Johnson Space centre team identified a process wherein molten iron and nickel sulfides seeped through solid rock, accumulating at Mars’ core long before notable melting caused by radioactive decay.
• Experiments demonstrated that high temperatures allowed sulfides to migrate through cracks in solid rock, confirmed using 3D visualizations and analyses of meteorites with traces of platinum-group metals.
• This method likely applies to other planetary bodies forming in similar protoplanetary disk regions during the early solar system.
• The study predicts Mars’ core is sulfur-rich, explaining why it lacks a global magnetic field today.
• Published findings are reported in Nature Communications on April 4.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This breakthrough furthers planetary science by uncovering how smaller planets like Mars develop their cores under unique conditions. For India, which has emerging interest and capability in space exploration through ISRO missions such as Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), these insights could guide future research efforts focused on understanding terrestrial planet formation. By contributing further to global studies on planetology using advanced techniques or experimental simulations, India could reaffirm its place as an active player in deep space science while fostering international collaboration.India’s increasing investment into interdisciplinary scientific initiatives, including astronomy linked with geophysics or chemistry studies, might find practical relevance here-aiding revelation-oriented explorations both beyond Earth and at home.

Read more: Space.com Article