GoKawiilDLR study finds Mercury has shrunk far more than previously estimated
German Aerospace Center researchers report that Mercury's diameter has contracted by up to 14.5 miles since its formation, 10 to 30 percent more than earlier estimates suggested. The team says debris from impact craters had masked the true extent of this shrinkage, which stems from the planet gradually losing internal heat.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Understanding Mercury's contraction rate gives scientists clues about its internal composition, including the size of its metal core and how quickly the planet has cooled since forming. Such findings help refine broader models of rocky planet formation and evolution across the solar system.
- Mercury has shrunk by as much as 14.5 miles in diameter over billions of years.
- New estimates show 10-30% more shrinkage than previously calculated.
- The contraction reflects internal cooling and offers clues about the planet's core composition.
Source: futurism.com — Victor Tangermann, 2026-09-14
Published there as: “The Planet Mercury Appears to Have Shrunken Drastically, “Like a Balloon Left Out in the Cold””
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