Mercury's interior. Computer artwork showing the interior structure of the planet Mercury. Until recently it was thought that Mercury had a solid core

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Mercury's interior. Computer artwork showing the interior structure of the planet Mercury. Until recently it was thought that Mercury had a solid core inside, but now scientists believe that under the crust (outer layer) and mantle (orange) of the planet there is a solid layer of iron sulphide (brown) overlying a partially liquid core. The core itself is 85 per cent of the diameter of Mercury and consists of two parts: an inner core of solid iron, and another external core of liquid iron, both with a 1000 km radius.

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Size: 4200px × 4200px
Photo credit: © CARLOS CLARIVAN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: artwork, astrogeological, astrogeology, astronomical, astronomy, background, black, core, cosmology, cosmos, crust, cut, cut-, cut-outs, cutaway, cutout, cutouts, exterior, geological, geology, globe, illustration, interior, internal, layer, layered, layers, mantle, mars, mercury, outer, outs, planet, planetary, science, solar, space, structure, surface, system, system., universe