Internal structure of Mercury: Implications of a molten core

Details Internal structure of Mercury: Implications of a molten core Internal structure of Mercury: Implications of a molten core

Aug 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008jgre..11308013r&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 113, Issue E8, CiteID E08013

Statistics

Methodology

6

Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mercury, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Interiors (8147), Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Physical Properties Of Materials, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Origin And Evolution

Scientific paper

Mercury is unique among the terrestrial planets for its relatively low mass (3.302 × 1023 kg) and high average density (5.427 g cm-3) that together imply an unusual iron-rich bulk composition and thus provide an important constraint on planet formation and evolution and on compositional variations between the planets. In light of the recent discovery of a partially or fully molten core of Mercury, we model plausible interior density structures of Mercury using layered cores and the elastic properties of molten core materials. We present constraints on Mercury's decompressed density, composition, and interior structure, including elucidation of assumptions and methodology. We demonstrate the importance of molten and/or layered cores to accurately model Mercury's interior and to correctly interpret anticipated spacecraft geophysical observations. The core radius and core mass fraction will be tightly constrained by Earth-based radar and anticipated spacecraft tracking observations, but the bulk core sulfur content and extent of the molten core are less well constrained. Finally, we discuss the implications of incorporating molten materials in modeled density structures on the hypotheses of Mercury's iron enrichment and on anticipated spacecraft results.

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