What is inside the Solar System’s planets?

You may have gazed at Earth and wondered what’s inside. But have you ever pondered what lies beneath the surface of other celestial bodies? Today, we’ll dive deep into the cores of our solar system’s planets.

1. Earth: Our Blue Home

• Resembling a peach, Earth consists of various layers.
• The crust is 22 miles on average, followed by a 1,864-mile thick mantle of viscous rocks.
• Deep within lies the core with two distinct parts: the outer shell that heats up to 9,032°F and a slightly warmer inner core, solid in nature.

2. Mercury: The Dense Rock

• Although the smallest planet, it has the highest density.
• Its core predominantly consists of iron and nickel, accounting for about 70% of its mass.
• Surrounding this vast core is a 373-mile thick mantle, followed by a solid crust of 20-25 miles.

3. Venus: Earth’s Twin

• Like Earth, Venus has a core of iron and nickel, though slightly smaller.
• The core is enveloped by a vast mantle of silicate minerals.
• The planet’s crust varies, ranging between 12 to 37 miles.

4. Mars: The Enigmatic Red

• Mars boasts an iron-rich core encased by a mantle of silicate minerals.
• Its crust stretches 53 miles, almost thrice as Earth’s.
• Theoretical models hint at the presence of sulfur in its core.

5. Jupiter: The Gas Behemoth

• Jupiter’s immense core could be equivalent to Earth in size, reaching temperatures beyond 68,000°F.
• Enveloping this core is metallic hydrogen, behaving like liquid metal due to immense pressure.

6. Saturn: Ringed Wonder

• Saturn’s core, made of metallic materials and ice, is smaller than Jupiter’s.
• Over this core lies a layer of liquid hydrogen, differing in thickness compared to Jupiter due to their mass variation.

7. Uranus: The Icy Mystery

• Unlike other gas giants, Uranus lacks a metallic hydrogen layer.
• Its rocky core is enveloped by compressed water, methane, and ammonia ice, leading to its ‘ice giant’ moniker.
• Above this layer is an atmosphere rich in methane.

8. Neptune: Uranus’s Sibling

• Neptune mirrors Uranus in structure.
• The core, comparable to Earth’s size, is sheathed by water, ammonia, and methane ice.
• Its atmosphere is abundant in hydrogen, helium, and traces of methane, giving Neptune its distinct blue hue.

In essence, our solar system’s planets, whether gaseous or rocky, possess unique yet somewhat similar structures. All are defined by their vast cores, enveloped in different layers. What are your thoughts on these celestial wonders? Share in the comments below.