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Does Mercury have a molten coreThe question of whether or not Mercury could contain a molten metallic core is investigated by studying the possible thermal evolution of a metallic core in that planet. The calculations involve the solution of the equation of heat conduction for a spherically symmetric body with internal heat sources, modifications to take account of the latent heat of fusion as well as the redistribution of radioactive heat sources as a consequence of melting, the terrestrial Fe/U ratio, and a Th/U ratio of 3.7. The temperature profile predicted by the calculations for a period of 4.6 billion years indicates that the inner 1400 km of the core would now be solid while the outer 500 km would be molten. It is emphasized that this result is a direct consequence of a discontinuity in melting temperatures at the core-mantle boundary and that although a dynamo is possible, it would have to be driven mechanically rather than by thermal convection.
Document ID
19760037802
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Fricker, P. E.
(Swiss National Science Foundation Berne, Switzerland)
Reynolds, R. T.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Summers, A. L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Cassen, P. M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 29, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 259
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
76A20768
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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