Exploratour - The Magnetosphere of Mars

Results and Conclusion

The presence of a magnetosphere helps scientists understand more about the interior of Mars and how Mars evolved. A determination of the presence of a magnetic field helps scientists understand where the magnetic material of Mars resides, and a little bit about Martian evolution.

Scientists used to think that because the Martian surface contained so much iron, and the Martian magnetic field was so weak, that the early history of Mars was not sufficiently warm for Mars to differentiate, and form a large solid iron core. A large molten iron core, such as that of the Earth, would generate a strong magnetic field. Thus, iron must have stayed mostly on the outside layers of Mars, making the surface red with rust.

Recently, Mars Pathfinder returned a measurement which suggested that Mars has a large iron core. Therefore, if the core of Mars is large and composed of iron as the Mars Pathfinder measurement shows, and there definitely is a magnetic field generated inside as the Mars Global Surveyor measurement shows, then this theory about the evolution of Mars may not be completely correct.

At this point, many questions still remain about the Martian magnetosphere. With further missions to Mars, we will certainly be able to investigate the magnetosphere of the Red Planet.

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