23/07/2021 13:47
Nasa probe determines Mars' internal structure
Scientists say they now have some absolute numbers to describe the internal rock structure of Mars.
The data comes from the InSight spacecraft, which has been sensing quakes on the planet since early 2019.
The Nasa-led mission reveals the average thickness of Mars' crust to be between 24km and 72km - somewhat thinner than had been expected.
But the key finding is the size of the planet's core. Its radius of 1,830km is at the top end of previous estimates.
This is the first time science has managed to directly map the internal layering of a planet apart from the Earth. It's been done also for the Moon, but Mars (total radius: 3,390km) is on a much larger scale.
Having this information allows researchers to better understand the formation and evolution of different planetary bodies.