Mercury: Magnetic Field and Interior
Abstract
Between 1965 and 1975, our knowledge of Mercury and its physical characteristics improved dramatically. Radar studies of the planetary orbit and rotation rate and Mariner 10 spacecraft studies of its surface, atmosphere, magnetic field and plasma environment provided startling new results on what had been the least understood member of the terrestrial planets. With a highly cratered surface and a modest magnetic field, Mercury is a differentiated planet with fractionally the largest iron core of all.
- Publication:
-
Space Science Reviews
- Pub Date:
- March 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF00240907
- Bibcode:
- 1978SSRv...21..527N
- Keywords:
-
- Mercury (Planet);
- Planetary Evolution;
- Planetary Magnetic Fields;
- Planetary Magnetospheres;
- Planetary Structure;
- Radar Astronomy;
- Celestial Mechanics;
- Cratering;
- Mariner 10 Space Probe;
- Orbital Resonances (Celestial Mechanics);
- Planetary Atmospheres;
- Planetary Cores;
- Planetary Rotation;
- Thermal Environments;
- MERCURY;
- TERRESTRIAL PLANETS;
- INTERIOR;
- MAGNETIC FIELDS;
- CORE;
- ROTATION;
- ORBITS;
- SURFACE;
- MAGNETOSPHERE;
- ATMOSPHERE;
- MARINER 10;
- RADAR;
- THERMAL HISTORY;
- EVOLUTION;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Mercury