Photo: Mars's Liquid Center Cooling in Unusual Manner, Study Suggests

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


Mars' core, as depicted in the artist's rendering above, is probably liquid, according to a new study.



The research team used a device called a high-pressure anvil to squeeze iron, nickel, and sulfur—common elements in the Martian core—to estimate the core's consistency and predict how it will solidify.


Image courtesy NASA

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PICTURES: 2012 Doomsday Myths Debunked

2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked

APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.