Mars Unveils Evidence of a Devastating Catastrophe

The Zhurong rover, which operated on Mars for over a year, obtained magnetic field readings indicating an extremely weak field beneath its landing site in the Utopia Planitia region. These readings contradict previous measurements from orbit and suggest that the crust in this region may have remained unmagnetized since its formation or was demagnetized by a later impact. Understanding the timeline of Mars' magnetosphere disappearance is crucial for astrobiological studies and could provide insights into the planet's past climate, interior, and the potential for life to emerge and persist.