According
to a new study by Dr. Sander Goossens and his team of researchers at the NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center, the crust of the planet Mars is actually porous
(imagine a sponge) as opposed to a dense surface (which was previously thought
to be the case).
In past research, the density of
Mar's crust was considered to be around 2,900 KG/m3 (ex. Earth's
oceanic crust) but with the new research, it comes in lower at around 2,582 kg/m3 (ex. lunar crust). “The crust is the end-result
of everything that happened during a planet’s history, so a lower density could
have important implications about Mars’ formation and evolution,” Dr. Goossens
said hinting on the future importance of the data.
This new value was calculated using Mar's gravity field (satellite
tracking data) and applying it to a modern constraint (accounts in Mar's
topography) to procure a new solution or value. Old methods relied strongly on
rock composition which was not as accurate. With the modern constraint, a more
updated model of Mars has been created with crust density/thickness as well as
its giant volcanoes to guide and aid scientists in learning more about the Red
Planet.
Read more about this fascinating story at: http://www.sci-news.com/space/martian-crust-porous-05227.html
Image Credit: NASA/Goddard
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Saturday, September 23, 2017
NEW MAR'S SURFACE DISCOVERY OFFERS CLUES TO ITS EVOLUTION
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