Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A new study from Harvard's Paleomagnetics Lab challenges previous estimates about the lifespan of Mars' magnetic field, suggesting it may have lasted until 3.9 billion years ago, later than the previously believed 4.1 billion years.
The research indicates that Mars may have been a more suitable environment for life than previously thought. The magnetic field could have protected the planet from solar radiation, potentially allowing conditions favorable for life.
Researchers used simulations to estimate the age of the Martian "dynamo," the global magnetic field generated by convection in the planet's core. This dynamo, similar to Earth's, could have helped sustain an environment capable of supporting life.
The team studied Mars' basins and found evidence of craters formed during periods of polarity reversal, a phenomenon observed on Earth. This data helped researchers refine their estimates of Mars' magnetic field’s duration.
Sarah Steele, who led the research, emphasized the importance of planetary magnetic fields in understanding a planet’s deep interior and its early history. These fields are vital probes for studying planetary evolution.
The study also ties the longevity of Mars’ magnetic field to the planet's ability to retain water. Without a strong magnetic field, Mars could not protect its atmosphere from solar wind, leading to the loss of its water and making life unsustainable.
Previous missions by NASA's rovers have confirmed the presence of water on Mars' surface. The extended magnetic field period coincided with the time when Mars may have had surface water, further supporting the possibility of ancient life.
NASA’s recent research suggests that microbes could potentially survive under the frozen Martian surface, where conditions may support photosynthesis in shallow meltwater pools beneath the ice, highlighting the potential for life in Mars’ past.