Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system and nearest to the sun, conceals an intriguing secret: a diamond mantle approximately 10 miles thick under its surface. This revelation comes from data provided by NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft.
Diamond mantle
Recent studies indicate that Mercury’s mantle is composed not of graphene, as was previously believed, but of diamond. The extreme pressure at the boundary between the mantle and core is thought to have facilitated the formation of diamond.
Graphite patches
Mercury’s surface is peppered with dark-coloured graphite patches, a form of carbon that has intrigued scientists for many years.
Carbon-rich magma
Researchers believe that in Mercury’s early history, it had a carbon-rich magma ocean. As the ocean of magma rose to the surface, it formed the graphite patches that are visible today.