Scientists peering into the very heart of hearts of the planet Mars have found a deeply unexpected structure.

There, at the innermost core of the planet, InSight seismic data reveals a solid mass about 600 kilometers (373 miles) across. This is not just in contrast to previous findings that the core is squishy all the way through – it doesn't fit with our current understanding of what the Martian core is made of.

"Having a solid inner core for Mars was something unusual," a team led by seismologist Huixing Bi of the University of Science and Technology of China told ScienceAlert.

"Early studies suggested that the Martian core contains a significant amount of light elements, which lowers the solidus temperature and makes it unlikely for the core to crystallize given its relatively hi

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