For the first time, scientists have directly measured the core of another planet. NASA’s InSight mission on Mars has discovered the Red Planet’s core is bigger than expected.
Instruments on the craft have listened to seismic energy deep within the planet, and have suggested a core measurement of between 1,810km and 1,860km in diameter, roughly half the size of Earth’s core. It’s larger than some predictions, which means the Martian core is less dense than previous estimates, probably due to the presence of lighter elements such as oxygen.
The measurements, which were taken with a seismometer, have not yet been published, but were reported at a virtual gathering of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
“A seismometer is like a very sensitive ear pressed against the ground, listening for energetic…
