Physics
Scientific paper
Sep 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007georl..3418201h&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 34, Issue 18, CiteID L18201
Physics
10
Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Gravitational Fields (1221), Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Interiors (8147), Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Orbital And Rotational Dynamics (1221), Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mercury
Scientific paper
Recent Earth-based and forthcoming MESSENGER spacecraft observations of the spin state and gravity field of Mercury will provide the opportunity to determine that planet's internal structure with unprecedented precision. These observations will provide estimates of the dimensionless polar moment of inertia and the ratio of the moment of inertia of the mantle plus crust to that of the planet. In order to understand how well these two parameters will constrain Mercury's internal structure we calculate ~800,000 Monte Carlo models of the planet's interior. Within the uncertainties currently predicted to be achieved by MESSENGER for these quantities we estimate that the radius and bulk density of an Fe-FeS core and the bulk density of the silicate shell can be determined to within +/-23 km, +/-147 kg m-3, and +/-72 kg m-3, respectively.
Hauck Steven A.
Smith Alastair D.
Solomon Sean C.
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