Magnetic irregularities
A magnetic field is the result of the motion of a molten core. Earth’s magnetic poles have been known to shift, but astronomers have suggested that Mercury’s have been doing the same. Mercury’s ancient magnetic poles, known as palaeopoles, appear to have shifted over time, and could present clues in the investigation of Mercury’s interior. By understanding the magnetic field, we could pinpoint the nature of the planet’s molten core. Results came from MESSENGER data on ancient craters that had irregular magnetic signatures. Not only would a further analysis help us understand the nature of Mercury’s interior, it could have implications for understanding how the planet evolved, and even how Earth’s magnetic field evolved.