First Rock from the Sun

MESSENGER Scans  (NASA images)

If Mercury were a pizza, it would be a thin-crusted one served piping hot.

Scientists now suspect that Mercury’s core is far larger percentage-wise than Earth’s.  Whereas Earth’s core occupies a mere 15% of its volume, Mercury’s tops out at 60%.

Researchers used to think that Mercury’s crust is approximately 22 miles thick.  Current estimates size it down to about 16 miles. It’s still a formidable “snack,” especially since this crust seems denser than aluminum.

Although Mercury may seem dull to the average Earthling eye, it might actually be shimmering with mineral-based hues.  In a NASA Messenger image, the First Rock looks more like a rainbow crystal than like a weathered stone.    

Resources

https://phys.org/news/2018-04-mercury-thin-dense-crust.html

Copyright May 1, 2018 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved