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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on June 25, 2010, 14:39

Title: Hotspots leave magnetic scars on Mars
Post by: sam on June 25, 2010, 14:39

Quote

After the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) settled into orbit around the red planet in 1997, a magnetometer on board began sending back measurements that have puzzled planetary scientists ever since. A section of the martian crust appeared to consist of long 'stripes' of iron-bearing minerals permanently magnetized with alternating orientations. Clearly, an ancient dynamo imprinted its field in the rock during the planet's early history. But why the stripes?

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100625/full/news.2010.312.html

Title: Re: Hotspots leave magnetic scars on Mars
Post by: Clive on June 26, 2010, 22:23

Mars is giving up its secrets a bit at a time!