This image illustrates the magnetic field of the planet.
Click on image for full size
Image from: NASA/JPL
Mars Global Surveyor Magnetometer findings
An important new result from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mission is the definite confirmation of the presence of a magnetosphere around Mars.
Previous missions did not make very good measurements of the Martian magnetic field. Finding a magnetic field helps scientists understand where the magnetic material of Mars is, and helps scientists understand little bit more about the evolution of Mars. It also answers one question the Mars Surveyor Program set out to address.
You might also be interested in:

An important new result from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mission is the definite confirmation of the presence of a magnetic field near Mars. The magnetic field leads to the formation of a magnetosphere,
...more
When Mars Observer blew up, the Mars Surveyor Program was born. The Surveyor Program was suppose to consist of 8 spacecraft. The spacecraft were named: Mars Pathfinder, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars '98,
...more
It has been more than 30 years since America's first missions to Mars. Here are some of the instruments carried by the Mars Global Surveyor (called MGS for short). These instruments are designed to study
...more
These are some of the initial findings of Mars Global Surveyor. There definitely is a magnetosphere near Mars. this finding suggests that scientists must rethink theories about the evolution of Mars. Surface
...more
These are the findings of Mars Pathfinder. Rounded Pebbles were found - a result from analysis of the landing site, the rocks, and the soils. there were a variety of rocks deposited by a catastrophic flood
...more
A magnetometer is an instrument for measuring magnetic fields. Many spacecraft carry magnetometers to measure the magnetic fields around planets. When a spacecraft makes those measurements, what do the
...more
The Mars Odyssey was launched April 7, 2001. After a six-month journey, the Odyssey arrived at Mars on October 24, 2001. The instruments onboard the Mars Odyssey will study the minerals on the surface
...more