An international team of scientists has produced the most accurate measurement to date of silicon dioxide content on Mercury’s surface, revealing concentrations of approximately 37 percent by mass. This finding represents a substantial downward revision from earlier estimates, which had suggested levels up to 25 percent higher. The research was conducted by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany and collaborating universities, with results published in the open-access journal Planetary Research.
The unexpectedly low silicon dioxide levels offer insights into Mercury’s geological history and early planetary evolution. According to the researchers, the composition suggests that volcanic rocks on Mercury’s surface originated from deeper regions of the planet’s mantle, where material experienced more extensive melting at exceptionally high temperatures. An alternative explanation involves the possibility that Mercury’s crust originally contained higher silicon dioxide concentrations but lost oxygen gradually over time. These findings contribute to scientific understanding of how Mercury cooled and solidified relatively quickly compared to Earth, which has remained geologically active throughout its history.
To establish reliable methods for determining planetary composition from a distance, the research team developed a novel calibration technique using tiny glass beads approximately half a millimeter in diameter, each containing precisely controlled amounts of silicon dioxide. The scientists measured the infrared properties of these samples to create a reference standard for interpreting remote sensing data. Before applying this methodology to Mercury, the team validated it using lunar observations and rock samples, comparing infrared-based composition estimates with actual Apollo and spacecraft-returned lunar specimens to verify accuracy.
The researchers analyzed infrared observations of Mercury collected from Earth-based telescopes, including measurements from the Bok Telescope in Arizona. They anticipate that the European Space Agency’s BepiColombo mission, scheduled to enter Mercury orbit later this year, will provide higher-resolution infrared measurements to further verify and refine these compositional findings. BepiColombo’s MERTIS instrument, developed with significant contributions from the University of Münster, is expected to deliver unprecedented precision in mapping Mercury’s surface chemistry.
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