Mars: Red Planet's Rapid Formation Explains Its Small Size Relative to Earth

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Source:  Nicolas Dauphas and Ali Pourmand, National Science Foundation

Excerpt: Mars developed in as little as two to four million years after the birth of the solar system, far more quickly than Earth, according to results of a new study published in this week's issue of the journal Nature. The red planet's rapid formation helps explain why it is so small, say the study's co-authors.

 www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp

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