Interior layer

Core

The dense central region of a planet or moon, typically the heaviest material that sank inward as the body formed. In the terrestrial planets it is largely iron; where it is partly molten and convecting, as in Earth, it can generate a global magnetic field.

Highlights

›Where a planet's magnetic field is born

Earth
Mercury
Planetary Differentiation

Across comparative planetology

Planetary Differentiation

Knowledge connections

Associated withEarth
Associated withMercury
Associated withPlanetary Differentiation
Associated withPlanetary Differentiation

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

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Core

Highlights

Worlds, layers & processes

Across comparative planetology

Knowledge connections

Sources

Core

Highlights

Worlds, layers & processes

Across comparative planetology

Knowledge connections

Sources