Spacecraft reveal Mars’ molten heart
By Ron Cowen
The core of Mars is at least partially liquid, planetary scientists have concluded. The Red Planet hasn’t completely cooled since its formation 4.5 billion years ago, and its core is made either entirely of liquid iron or has a solid iron center surrounded by molten iron, researchers report in an upcoming Science.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2003/04/2683.jpg?resize=147%2C150&ssl=1)
Because the sun exerts a slightly stronger tug on the near side of Mars than on the far side, it causes the planet to bulge slightly. Charles Yoder of NASA’s