Investigating Internal Magnetic Field Sources on the Moon and Mars

For billions of years, Earth’s global magnetic field is due to a dynamo within the mostly molten iron in the planet’s interior. How does Earth’s dynamo mechanism work? The answer to this question requires an understanding of how a planetary dynamo operates. The EU-funded SIGMA project will study the crustal magnetic fields of other planetary bodies (Mercury, the Moon and Mars) where different dynamos might have operated. For instance, Mars has large remnant magnetism from an ancient dynamo, and scientists believe the Moon once had a magnetic field based on evidence from magnetised lunar rocks. SIGMA will use a novel methodology of surveys and the generation of advanced models. The findings will be valuable for the field of planetary exploration.