Scientists revealed the secret of Mars' strange shape

An international group of scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the European Space Agency (ESA) published research results explaining the unusual shape of Mars. The planet, known for its asymmetric structure with a pronounced difference between the northern and southern hemispheres, has long remained a mystery for planetologists. The new study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, offers a convincing explanation for this phenomenon.

Geographical asymmetry of Mars

Mars has a unique topography: its northern hemisphere is a lowland plain, known as the Northern Polar Lowland, while the southern hemisphere consists of highland plateaus and craters. This dichotomy, known as the "Martian crustal asymmetry," was previously explained by hypotheses about giant volcanic processes or asteroid collisions.

According to new data, the key to the puzzle lies in the early history of the planet's formation. Dr. Elizabeth Harper, the lead author of the study from Caltech, explains: "We found that the asymmetry of Mars could have arisen due to the uneven distribution of magma in the planet's mantle about 4 billion years ago."

New data and research methods

The research relies on modeling performed using a supercomputer at the ESA Space Research Center in Noordwijk, Netherlands. Scientists analyzed data collected by the Perseverance rover and the Mars Express orbital spacecraft. In particular, spectrometric data indicated differences in the composition of the crust between the hemispheres, which confirms the theory of uneven distribution of magmatic flows.

The team also used gravitational maps of Mars created based on data from the MAVEN mission. These maps showed that the thickness of the crust in the northern hemisphere is significantly less than in the southern hemisphere, which is consistent with a model suggesting active movement of magma in the early period of the planet's formation.

The role of ancient oceans

Another important aspect of the research was the assumption about the existence of an ancient ocean in the northern hemisphere of Mars. Professor Lucas Meyer, a geoscientist from ESA, noted: "Our models show that the lowlands could have been formed under the influence of water masses that enhanced erosion and redistributed crustal material." Although there is no direct evidence of an ocean yet, chemical analysis of the soil conducted by Perseverance in Jezero crater revealed traces of minerals associated with an aquatic environment.

Significance for future missions

The obtained data are important for planning future missions to Mars. Understanding the structure of the crust and the processes that formed the planet will help in selecting landing sites for rovers and potential bases for manned expeditions. NASA and ESA have already announced plans to send a new mission in 2030, which will focus on studying the northern lowlands.

The research also emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. The team combined the efforts of planetologists, geoscientists, and computer modeling specialists to create a holistic picture of Mars' evolution.

Next steps

Scientists plan to continue analyzing data from current missions and integrate them with the results of upcoming launches. In particular, the ExoMars 2028 mission will be aimed at drilling the crust in the northern hemisphere to study its composition to a depth of up to two meters. This data may confirm or refute the hypothesis about an ancient ocean.

The research results open a new chapter in understanding the formation of Mars and its unique geological features. Scientists hope that further discoveries will shed light not only on the history of the Red Planet but also on the processes that form terrestrial planets in general.