Dead Planets Society is a podcast that explores unconventional ideas for manipulating the universe and tests their impact on the laws of physics. Listen to wild theories ranging from splitting the moon in half to triggering doomsday events with gravitational waves on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our Podcast Page.
Opinions on Mars vary within the planetary science community, with some enthusiasts fascinated by our knowledge of the planet and others frustrated by its disproportionate attention. In this episode of Dead Planets Society, the main focus is on destroying the Red Planet once and for all.
The red hue of Mars may be its downfall, as its iron oxide-rich soil could be manipulated using a massive orbital magnet. Hosts Chelsea White and Leah Crane delve into the potential destruction of Mars inspired by the planet’s magnetic properties.
Mars’s liquid iron core plays a crucial role in this destructive scenario. The hosts, joined by volcanologist Robin George Andrews, contemplate the effects of a giant magnet on this core.
The orbit of a massive magnet could disrupt Mars’s core, triggering seismic activity and volcanic eruptions that might ultimately lead to the planet’s disintegration. Alternatively, the magnet could extract the core through existing vents, such as those atop Olympus Mons, turning the iron into a luminous solid in space.
This process would hollow out Mars, potentially causing catastrophic consequences as its layers collapse or fill with unknown substances. The ramifications are boundless and could result in unsettling outcomes.
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Source: www.newscientist.com