NASA Mars Lander Discovers the Planet’s Bizarre Magnetic Field

InSight lander, NASA's stationary explorer, has spent just over a year studying the surface of the red planet. It has been tasked to study the interior of our neighboring planet and in a very short period, it has gathered a lot of information about the celestial body.

One of the major findings that surprised researchers and scientists is that Mars' magnetic field is about ten times stronger than what was previously believed and it is changing swiftly. New data from the robotic explorer has revealed that Mars' magnetic field fluctuates quite rapidly. The lander is the first stationary mission explorer that was outfitted with a magnetic sensor that allows it to assess and measure magnetic fields accurately and from up close.

Catherine Johnson, senior scientist, lead author, and professor at the University of British Columbia said in a statement that the data received from the ground-level provides data and crucial information on the smaller areas where magnetization is coming from. The data showed that the strength of the magnetization was ten times stronger than expected and the lander also implied as to where the sources are.

The main objective of sending the InSight lander was to aid the scientists on the evolution and growth of rocky planets by studying these planets' interiors. Previously, scientists measure Mars' magnetic field through the help of satellites orbiting the planet. Since these data gathering and measurements were done at a distance that often averaged at 90 miles from the epicenter, data may have been skewed.

Mars used to have a global magnetic field for several billions of years ago. The reason for its shutdown is still a mystery to scientists who are still trying to figure out what happened. Due to this shutdown that happened around 4 billion years ago, the atmosphere of the red planet has been exposed to radiation and has slowly seeped out into space.

The remaining magnetic fields may be residuals from older rocks that are buried deep down the surface of Mars which the team of NASA scientists plans to study further. The InSight lander has also observed that the sun affects the red planet's magnetic field. The sun releases charged particles through a solar wind that carry an interplanetary magnetic field or IMF that can create rapid fluctuations. These charged particles from the sun speed through the solar system and create changes within the red planet's magnetic fields upon contact. The main reason for this is Mars' lack of global magnetic field which serves as a cushion or shield when such solar winds or solar storms.

On Earth, the presence of a global magnetic field buffers much of the atmosphere from the harshness of these solar winds. The absence of a Martian global magnetic field results in solar particles reaching Mars' atmosphere and towards the planet's surface.

The lander's sensor has recorded mysterious pulsations or fluctuations in the magnetic field during the day and night, and around midnight. The team believes that there are several reasons or ways that cause these fluctuations such as the solar wind or IMF around the planet, solar radiation that induces electrical currents and magnetic fields on the planet, among others. Johnson and the team do not know yet exactly what causes the pulses but they are hopeful that with InSight providing the data for future observations, this will provide more clarity for future Martian astronaut missions.