Martian Magnetic Fields

Scientists think that Mars was enjoyed a thick atmosphere 4 billion years ago that was rich with the same chemical elements familiar to Earth’s own air. What happened since, though, is a mystery. The prevailing theory is that the Martian core of molten metal solidified and the magnetic field generated by the swirling core all but disappeared. Without a magnetic field protecting it from the sun’s solar winds, Mars lost its liquid water to either evaporation or freezing on the ground. Whatever happened, it left Mars a barren desert. MAVEN’s designers included instruments the spacecraft can use to detect the power of the solar wind at Mars along with the trace elements of the planet’s ancient atmosphere that still remain.

You can find out more details about the processes and theories in the MAVEN press kit available at: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/MAVEN_PressKit_Final.pdf

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