The interior structure of Mercury constrained by the low-degree gravity field and the rotation of Mercury
Abstract
Among all the planets of the solar system Mercury stands out, because it has a relatively high average density compared to its size. To account for this high density, Mercury's core radius is thought to be larger than 34 of its radius. Here, we use recent data about the second-degree gravity field coefficients and measurements about Mercury's rotation - obliquity and 88-day libration amplitude - to obtain constraints on Mercury's interior structure. By combining the gravity field data and the obliquity measurements, the mean moment of inertia of Mercury can be determined. If the coupling between the core and the mantle is neglected then the gravity field data together with the libration amplitude provide an estimate of Mercury's silicate shell moment of inertia. However, since the effect of core-mantle coupling on the 88-day libration amplitude can be about as large as the libration amplitude's uncertainty (Van Hoolst et al., 2012) we use as data the mean moment of inertia and the 88-day libration amplitude to infer knowledge about Mercury's interior structure.
- Publication:
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Earth and Planetary Science Letters
- Pub Date:
- September 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.epsl.2013.07.021
- Bibcode:
- 2013E&PSL.377...62R