Scientists have detected an unusual “thermal asymmetry” buried deep beneath the surface of Mars’ southern hemisphere — and they’re only beginning to postulate potential explanations for its existence.
As detailed in a new paper published in the journal Nature, the team found that the interior of the Red Planet’s southern half is roughly 400 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than its northern half. The unexpected discrepancy could give scientists important clues about the period during which the planet was warm enough to host life billions of years ago.
The surfaces of the planet’s two halves are dramatically different. The south is densely cratered and stands several miles higher, while the northern half is relatively smooth and dotted with plains.
“Scientists usually assume that the interiors of planetary bodies are generally spherically symmetric, but this is not necessarily true,” said lead author and University of Arizona planetary scientist Alexander Berne in a statement. “As we get more gravity data, we can determine the three-dimensional intricacies of a planet’s interior structure.”
