Mercury

Details Mercury Mercury

Sep 1975

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1975sciam.233...58m&link_type=abstract

Scientific American, vol. 233, Sept. 1975, p. 58-68.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

5

Mariner Venus-Mercury 1973, Mercury (Planet), Meteorite Craters, Planetary Surfaces, Spaceborne Photography, Astronomical Photography, Planetary Structure, Spacecraft Trajectories, Spin-Orbit Interactions, Terrain Analysis

Scientific paper

Observations of Mercury are discussed with primary emphasis on the results obtained by Mariner 10. It is shown that Mercury is internally similar to the earth (large iron core enclosed by a relatively thin silicate mantle and crust), has a surface similar to the moon's, and has an iron core that encompasses fully three-fourths of the planet's diameter. Determinations of Mercury's rotation period and spin-orbit coupling are reviewed together with Mariner 10's trajectory and orbit. The planet's surface environment is described, including temperature variations, plains, basins, and craters. Possible origins of the planet's magnetic field are considered, and a concise five-phase surface history is presented.

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