German Study Finds Mercury May Have Shrunk Significantly Since Formation

German Study Finds Mercury May Have Shrunk Significantly Since Formation

German Aerospace Center researchers said Mercury is losing about 14 miles of its radius, roughly 30 % faster than earlier estimates. Earlier analysis of MESSENGER data had suggested a possible radius reduction of up to 11. 6 km, and subsequent studies indicated the planet’s diameter could have shrunk by as much as 14.

5 miles since its formation; the BepiColombo mission is slated to investigate the finding. The latest report follows earlier publications that highlighted the larger-than-expected contraction and noted that BepiColombo’s measurements will be used to verify the new estimates.

अभिनेताओं

German Aerospace Center’s Institute of Space Research Gaku Nishiyama BepiColombo mission NASA’s Messenger probe

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Germany

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14 सितंबर 2026
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