NASA InSight lander uncovers Mars' surface details in seismograph data

NASA’s InSight lander that started surface operations at Elysium Planitia on Mars has revealed Red planet’s surface details in seismograph data that it collected about 10 weeks after landing. Short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport captured intricate details and measurements of three subsurface boundaries from crust to core of celestial body, observed by Rice University seismologists, a statement confirmed.

Studying Mars' interior structure answered some of  key questions about early formation of rocky planets in our inner solar system, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars more than 4 billion years ago, as well as rocky exoplanets. InSight also measured tectonic activity and meteorite impacts on Red planet. Using cutting edge instruments, InSight delved deep beneath surface and captured  fingerprints of processes that formed terrestrial planets. According to NASA's press release, It achieved this by measuring planet's "vital signs", which is its "pulse" (seismology), "temperature" (heat flow), and "reflexes" (precision tracking).

It flew about 2,980 miles (4,800 kilometers) over cloud tops of giant planet, closest of its four flybys. It was first human-made object to fly by planet. Its 10 instruments were still in working order at time, NASA explained in statement.

Read: NASA Locates Helium Structures In Solar Atmosphere, Gars Full Global Map

Read: NASA To Rename Planets, Galaxies, And Nebulae That Have 'Insensitive Nicknames'

Ultimately it may help us understand planetary formation, said Alan Levander, co-author of a study published this week in Geophysical Research Letters

As per Levander, thickness of Mars’ crust and depth of its core have been calculated with a number of models, Levander said InSight data allowed for first direct measurements, which can be used to check models and ultimately to improve m. “In absence of plate tectonics on Mars, its early history is mostly preserved compared with Earth,” said study co-author Sizhuang Deng, a Rice graduate student. “ depth estimates of Martian seismic boundaries can provide indications to better understand its past as well as formation and evolution of terrestrial planets in general," he added. Mars lander touched down on red planet in vember 2018. Mars’ interior and processes that formed it were key goals of machine.

InSight measured Seismometers vibrations

Furr, lander measured  Seismometers vibrations from seismic waves, which are circular ripples that mark spot where a pebble disturbed surface of a pond. According to NASA's scientists, seismic waves flow through planets, marking location and size of disturbances like meteor strikes or earthquakes. “ traditional way to investigate structures beneath Earth is to analyze earthquake signals using dense networks of seismic stations,” said Deng.

“Mars is much less tectonically active, which means it will have far fewer marsquake events compared with Earth. Moreover, with only one seismic station on Mars, we cant employ methods that rely on seismic networks.” inSight found  mantle on Mars' surface where magnesium iron silicates undergo a geochemical change. Above zone, elements form a mineral called olivine, and beneath it, heat and pressure compress m into a new mineral called wadsleyite. Kwn as olivine-wadsleyite transition, this zone was found 690-727 miles (1,110-1,170 kilometers) beneath InSight, as per report. 

[NASA's lander captured region on Mars kwn as Cerberus Fossae. Credit: NASA]

[NASA's lander InSight studying subsurface of Mars. Credit: NASA]

Read: NASA Astronauts Share Crew Dragon's Descend Experience: 'Sounds Like An Animal'

Read: NASA Launched First Satellite Into Lunar Orbit From Manned craft On This Day In 1971