Composition of planets

Composition of planets

1. Uranus

   • Small core of rock + ice
   • Atmosphere of 83% hydrogen, 15% helium and 2% methane
   • Outer mantle of liquid hydrogen and other elements

2. Venus

   • Large iron (solid) core (50% of interior)
   • Thick silicate mantle
   • Thin rocky crust perhaps 50km (30 miles) thick Dense CO2 atmosphere

3. Mercury

   • Gigantic iron core (70% of interior)
   • Thin silicate mantle (25%)
   • Thin crust perhaps <100km (60 miles) thick

4. Earth

   • Only planet with 2 part core
   • Outer liquid core is half radius of planet
   • Thin outer crust of volcanic rocks
   • Thick mantle of solid silicate rock

5. Jupiter

   • Possibly has small solid core of ice + rock
   • Inner mantle >66% of interior of dense liquid metallic hydrogen
   • Thin atmosphere 90% hydrogen, 10% helium

6. Mars

   • Iron sulphide (solid) core
   • 30-40% of interior
   • Thin atmosphere 95% CO2

7. Saturn

   • Small core of rock + ice
   • Inner mantle of liquid metallic hydrogen
   • Outer mantle of liquid hydrogen (50% of planet)
   • Thicker atmosphere than Jupiter

Images and files in the map