Diagram showing the interior structure of Mercury. The metallic core extends from the center to a large fraction of the planetary radius. Radar observations show that the core or outer core is molten.
Nicolle Rager Fuller, National Science Foundation
Artistic rendering of the observational geometry. A radar signal (yellow) is transmitted from the Goldstone antenna in California. Radar echoes (red) are received at the Goldstone antenna and at the Robert C. Byrd telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia.
NRAO/AUI/NSF
May 3, 2007
Astronomers using a high-precision planetary radar technique for the first time have discovered that the innermost planet Mercury probably has a molten core, resolving a mystery of more than three decades.
Astronomers using a high-precision planetary radar technique for the first time have discovered that the innermost planet Mercury probably has a molten core, resolving a mystery of more than three decades.
In this week’s show, Jean-Luc margot, leader of the team that conducted the research, talks about what the team found.
After you listen, e-mail us here and let us know what you think.
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