Chinese and American scientists have for the first time discovered that Mars has a solid inner core, overturning traditional understanding.

Foreign media: Chinese and American scientists have for the first time discovered that Mars has a solid inner core, which overturns the mainstream view that Mars does not have a solid inner core. The research team confirmed that the radius of Mars' inner core is about 600 kilometers, accounting for about 18% of the planet's radius, similar to Earth's inner core ratio, by analyzing seismic waves recorded by NASA's retired InSight probe.

The research findings have been published in the journal "Nature". Nicholas Schmerr, a planetary seismologist at the University of Maryland, pointed out in his commentary that this discovery fills an important gap in human understanding of Mars' deep structure. Ross Mitchell, a geologist from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that this may reignite discussions on whether "Mars once had plate tectonics." The formation mechanism of the inner core is the solidification of liquid metal into a solid state under high pressure and low temperature conditions, but most celestial bodies in the solar system cool too slowly to form a solid inner core.

If the conclusion is ultimately confirmed, it means that Earth, the Moon, and Mars all have solid inner cores.

Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1842686008518659/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.