Scientists had also wondered whether Mercury might have a solid inner core. This large core - huge compared to the other rocky planets in our solar system - has long been one of the most intriguing mysteries about Mercury. Some scientists compare Mercury to a cannonball because its metal core fills nearly 85 percent of the volume of the planet. Now, in a new study, scientists from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland have found evidence that Mercury’s inner core is indeed solid and that it is very nearly the same size as Earth’s inner core. Like Earth, Mercury’s outer core is composed of liquid metal, but there have only been hints that Mercury’s innermost core is solid. It has long been known that Mercury and the Earth have metallic cores. This is exactly what NASA planetary scientists did, using data from the agency’s former mission to Mercury. How do you explore the interior of a planet without ever touching down on it? Start by watching the way the planet spins, then measure how your spacecraft orbits it - very, very carefully.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2022
Categories |