Core Accretion: The Gentle Planet In The Solar System

348 Words1 Page

Observations from the space probe MESSENGER have shown us that mercury has “an exceptionally large iron core overlain by a solid layer of iron sulfide and a thin outer shell of silicate mantle and crust” and that the core is “comprising approximately 85% of the planet’s radius.” But how did this happen? How does the smallest planet in our solar system manage to have such a large core with more iron than any other planet in the solar system?

There are a couple theories to how Mercury came to have this dense iron core. The most widely accepted theory is Core Accretion. In this theory scientists believe it has to do with the formation of Mercury this theory basically states “Mercury, like other planets, likely collected the more nebulous pieces

More about Core Accretion: The Gentle Planet In The Solar System

Open Document