Abstract
In order to explain why Mercury is trapped in a resonant state of rotation with a period two thirds of its orbital period, it has been proposed that the planet departs from hydrostatic equilibrium. It is shown that its gravity field must include a second-degree harmonic term. It is argued that this must be caused by convection in the solid interior rather than an initial distortion retained by the finite strength of the interior. The presence of an iron core in Mercury poses an interesting question as to why a second-degree harmonic convection pattern in the silicate mantle is present and suggested solutions are discussed.
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