Ganymede’s secret core may still be forming after billions of years
TL;DR
A new study suggests Jupiter’s moon Ganymede could still be differentiating its metallic core billions of years after formation, with iron–sulfur melt slowly feeding a protocore that powers a long‑lived magnetic dynamo and likely an ocean beneath its ice. If correct, this ongoing core growth could explain why Ganymede remains magnetically active while other moons fade, and future missions like JUICE may test the idea.
- Cosmic miracle: Largest moon in solar system may still have active core after 4.6 billion years Interesting Engineering
- Ganymede's unique magnetic field may be powered by ongoing core formation—not a cooling core Phys.org
- Motional Induction in Ganymede’s Ocean astrobiology.com
- The reason Ganymede has a magnetic field at all has stumped planetary scientists for decades, and a new study suggests the moon's core may not be done forming yet Space Daily
- Ganymede Might Still Be Forming Its Metal Core Today Caltech
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