Earth is fortunate in having a magnetic field: it protects the planet and its life from harmful cosmic radiation. Other planets in our solar system—such as Mars—are constantly bombarded by charged ...

Scientists have long known that Earth's core is mostly made of iron, but the density is not high enough for it to be pure iron, meaning lighter elements exist in the core, as well. In particular, it's ...

Geophysicists from ETH Zurich and SUSTech, China, have demonstrated the dynamo effect of the Earth’s core in a model in which viscosity has no influence, as is the correct physical regime for the ...

Earth’s core has often been described as just a giant ball of iron and nickel. Now, a new study argues that it is also a major storage place for hydrogen, possibly equivalent to dozens of oceans’ ...

The composition of Earth’s core is crucial to understanding several fundamental processes of its evolution, including the early core-mantle differentiation 1,2, inner core crystallization and growth 3 ...

Earth cross section showing the classic distinction between crust, mantle and core. But new research shows Earth's structure is far more complicated and may change over time. Analyzing an unusual ...

More than 5,500 exoplanets have now been discovered, among which smaller planets seem to be the rule rather than the exception 1. Indeed, many rocky planets have been discovered which we are now ...