"Discovery of Planet-Sized Solid Metal Ball at Earth's Core Raises Questions About Innermost Core"
Scientists have discovered a planet-sized solid metal ball at the Earth's center, located within the inner core and made of iron-nickel alloy. This distinct fifth layer of the Earth is approximately 400 miles wide and plays a crucial role in generating the planet's geomagnetic field, which shields Earth from cosmic rays and is essential for sustaining life. The discovery, documented by seismologists at the Australian National University, suggests that the innermost core has a different crystal structure than the surrounding core, and its existence could provide insights into how life can survive on Earth and other planets.