[X] My Assistant

[Guest_AlexBlackwell_*]

There is a Mars-related paper in the June 1, 2007, issue of Science. The embargo isn't lifted for a couple of more hours, so the direct links below are not currently active. However, you can get a brief synopsis here.

Mars: A New Core-Crystallization Regime
Andrew J. Stewart, Max W. Schmidt, Wim van Westrenen, and Christian Liebske
Science 316, 1323-1325 (2007)
High-pressure experiments imply that Mars has an entirely liquid iron-nickel-sulfur core that, unlike Earth's core, will not form an iron-rich solid inner region as it cools.
Abstract
Supporting Online Information

See also:

Mars’ Gooey Core is Freezing
By Dave Mosher, Space.com
posted: 31 May 2007
02:03 pm ET

Lab study indicates Mars has a molten core
16:53 31 May 2007
NewScientist.com news service
David Shiga

[CosmicRocker]

That is quite interesting. The core could possibly be molten, yet there is no active magnetic field. But then, these people might not have a solid handle on the sulfur concentration, so the core might not really be molten. I guess it just shows how much we really don't know about our solar system.

It kind of reminds me of the recent studies of Mercury's magnetic field.