¿Existen diamantes en la superficie de Mercurio?

Un estudio reciente sugiere que Mercurio podría tener una gruesa capa de diamantes a varios cientos de kilómetros bajo su superficie, lo que podría explicar algunas características del planeta, incluyendo su peculiar campo magnético.

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Se cree que Mercurio se formó a partir del enfriamiento de un océano de magma rico en carbono y silicatos. Durante este proceso, el núcleo central se formó primero, seguido del manto y la corteza externa.

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Un estudio de 2019 sugirió que el manto de Mercurio es más profundo de lo que se pensaba, aumentando la presión y la temperatura en la frontera entre el núcleo y el manto, lo que favorece la cristalización del carbono en diamantes.

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Investigadores belgas y chinos recrearon mezclas químicas similares al magma de Mercurio y las sometieron a altas presiones y temperaturas. Estas condiciones provocaron la formación de diamantes en el laboratorio.

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Los cálculos indican que, si los diamantes están presentes, formarían una capa de entre 14 y 15 kilómetros de grosor en la frontera entre el núcleo y el manto de Mercurio.

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Se espera que la misión BepiColombo, lanzada en 2018, proporcione más información sobre Mercurio cuando entre en órbita alrededor del planeta en 2025.

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