--- title: "Mercury Shrinkage May Be 30% Greater Than Previously Thought" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/mercury-shrinkage-may-be-30-greater-than-previously-thought" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/mercury-shrinkage-may-be-30-greater-than-previously-thought" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/mercury-shrinkage-may-be-30-greater-than-previously-thought.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/mercury-shrinkage-may-be-30-greater-than-previously-thought" category: "Science & Tech" published: "2026-09-10T19:05:12.801Z" source_reported: "2026-09-10T18:09:56.000Z" updated: "2026-09-10T19:05:12.801Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-10T20:00:08.331720+00:00" --- # Mercury Shrinkage May Be 30% Greater Than Previously Thought *New study attributes planet's contraction to cooling iron core, leading to surface tightening.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named researchers and journal; one full report and 39 digests provide corroboration. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. The full report quotes a lead author and mentions a specific instrument, but lacks comment from affected parties or discussion of future implications. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use phrases like 'shrinking faster than expected' and 'drastically underestimated' which are mildly sensational. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Mercury's diameter may have decreased by up to 14 miles (23 kilometers), a shrinkage potentially 30% larger than previously estimated. - Researchers attribute the planet's contraction to its internal iron core cooling and shrinking, which tightens the surface. - A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters used maps of Mercury's faults and surface roughness to reassess its shrinkage. - The European and Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft is scheduled to enter orbit around Mercury in November. Scientists estimate that Mercury may be shrinking 30% more than previously believed, potentially losing up to 14 miles (23 kilometers) in diameter. This contraction is attributed to the planet's hot iron core cooling and contracting over billions of years, causing its surface to tighten. The findings, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters by researchers from the German Aerospace Center's Institute of Space Research, were derived by comparing maps of Mercury's faults and geologic signs of contraction with newer maps detailing surface roughness. The study suggests that rougher areas, possibly obscured by impact debris, may have hidden the full extent of the shrinkage. ## Coverage comparison The European and Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft, designed for a fuller survey of Mercury, is expected to enter orbit around the planet in November. ## What the coverage left out None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports below mention the specific names of the researchers from the German Aerospace Center's Institute of Space Research, other than Gaku Nishiyama, who is identified as the study's lead author in the full report from CTV News. ## Who covered it Shares of the 34 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 47% (17) - Centre: 44% (14) - Right: 9% (3) 10 of 44 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-10T20:00:08.331720+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-10T20:30:09.160Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Reports from outlets rated left led on the finding that Mercury is shrinking more than previously thought. They highlighted the 30% greater shrinkage and the loss of up to 14 miles (23 kilometers) in diameter. Several reports mentioned the comparison of Mercury to a grape shriveling into a raisin. ### Centre - Centrist reports also focused on the increased rate of Mercury's shrinkage, noting the potential loss of up to 14 miles (23 kilometers) in diameter. The cause, the cooling and contracting iron core, was frequently mentioned. Some reports included details about the BepiColombo mission's upcoming arrival at Mercury. ### Right - Right-rated reports highlighted that Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected, with some stating the shrinkage could be 30% greater than previously believed. The loss in diameter of up to 14 miles (23 kilometers) was also noted. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 22 - unknown: 11 - veryHigh: 9 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Time Magazine](https://time.com/article/2026/09/10/mercury-shrinking-study) — The Planet Mercury Has Been Shrinking—More Than Scientists Expected - [Stirile Pro TV](https://stirileprotv.ro/o-planeta-din-sistemul-nostru-solar-se-micsoreaza-de-miliarde-de-ani-ridurile-de-pe-suprafata-ei-au-dezvaluit-un-secret.html) — A Planet in Our Solar System Has Been Shrinking for Billions of Years. "The Raids on Its Surface Have Revealed a Secret - [SciencePost](https://sciencepost.fr/les-falaises-qui-balafrent-mercure-ne-viennent-d-aucun-impact-de-meteorite-la-planete-se-ratatine-sur-elle-meme-et-a-deja-perdu-23-kilometres) — The Cliffs that Sweep Mercury Do Not Come From Any Meteorite Impact: the Planet Ratatines on Itself and Has Already Lost 23 Kilometers - [Unknown](https://ethnos.gr/World/article/420162/tomysthriotoyermhgiatiomikroterosplanhthstoyhliakoysysthmatossyrriknonetai) — The Mystery of Mercury: Why the Solar System's Smallest Planet Is Shrinking - [Unknown](https://epiloges.tv/epistimi-diastima-o-ermis-mporei-na-exei-syrriknothei-eos-30-perissotero-apo-oso-pisteyame) — Science-Space: Mercury May Have Shrunk up to 30% More than We Thought - [IFLScience](https://iflscience.com/mercury-is-shrinking-faster-than-thought-new-analysis-of-its-many-wrinkles-reveals-84619) — Mercury Is Shrinking Faster Than Thought, New Analysis Of Its Many Wrinkles Reveals - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/09/10/mercury-shrinkage) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [Purdue Exponent](https://purdueexponent.org/news/national/mercury-shrinking-more-than-scientists-previously-thought/article_e92a3c83-9898-5a47-bab2-ea6c9ca800e7.html) — Mercury shrinking more than scientists previously thought - [Sunnyside Sun](https://sunnysidesun.com/news/national/mercury-shrinking-more-than-scientists-previously-thought/article_93e346b8-d665-5db6-b3fa-305b84667d6c.html) — Mercury shrinking more than scientists previously thought - [Daily Post-Athenian](https://dailypostathenian.com/news/national/article_cab0c3da-f71e-5aa1-8022-55d57ca7e774.html) — Mercury shrinking more than scientists previously thought - [Maquoketa Sentinel-Press](https://maqnews.com/news/national/mercury-shrinking-more-than-scientists-previously-thought/article_5dd0b92b-bb87-5744-98ac-1fc09bb2b93b.html) — Mercury shrinking more than scientists previously thought - [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/ciencia/mercurio-podria-estar-encogiendose-mas-rapido-de-lo-que-los-cientificos-esperaban-b3048126.html) — Mercury Could Be Shrinking Faster than Scientists Expected. - [Space](https://space.com/astronomy/mercury/mercury-is-shrinking-faster-than-we-thought-whats-going-on-inside-of-it) — Mercury is shrinking faster than we thought. What's going on inside of it? - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/09/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected – WTOP News - [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/stirile-zilei/planeta-mercur-s-ar-putea-micsora-mai-repede-decat-se-asteptau-oamenii-de-stiinta-care-este-motivul-23805102) — The Mercury Planet Could Shrink Faster than Scientists Expected. - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/this-planet-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected) — This planet may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/science/11128907/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [reader.gr](https://reader.gr/epistimi/eos-kai-23-hiliometra-syrriknothike-o-planitis-ermis-ti-krybetai-sto-esoteriko-toy/660948) — The Planet Mercury Shrank to 23 Kilometers: What Is "Hidden" Inside It - [ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84](https://athina984.gr/2026/09/10/o-ermis-mporei-na-echei-syrriknothei-eos-30-perissotero-apo-oso-pisteyame) — Mercury May Have Shrunk by up to 30% More than We Thought - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_de30d632-b559-5570-bea4-0cbb1ffd7550.html) — The planet Mercury may be shrinking faster than previously believed - [Bozeman Daily Chronicle](https://bozemandailychronicle.com/wire/news/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_df58ec0c-6275-54a3-b46f-aa2f7fddcc6b.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [Henry Herald](https://henryherald.com/news/world_nation/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_00fb124a-4371-5544-8388-333d02457e3e.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [Oskaloosa Herald](https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_6c50552c-024e-5b7e-9fdd-48bbf05d872b.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Daily Sentinel](https://dailysentinel.com/anpa/us/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_91108679-ff8d-5b8b-a9fa-805420235626.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Daily Star](https://thedailystar.com/news/national/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_59e6fc05-d09b-52fe-a2b0-9dcd64f05a81.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The EagleHerald](https://ehextra.com/news/nation_world/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_6039cba7-ebeb-5813-9368-920e39e5a521.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel](https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_410c3d50-d58d-59df-bc9c-a5ec2f49bc83.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/mercury-cape-canaveral-scientists-nasa-messenger-b3047978.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/mercury-cape-canaveral-scientists-nasa-messenger-b3047978.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Times-Tribune](https://thetimestribune.com/news/national_news/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_49060830-bf6e-5750-a854-dae7056e0a3a.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [MY Northwest](https://mynorthwest.com/national/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/4274377) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/tech/2026/09/10/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Technology/wireStory/mercury-shrinking-faster-scientists-expected-136334272) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [CNN](https://cnn.com/2026/09/10/science/mercury-shrinking-study) — Scientists are trying to figure out if Mercury is even smaller than expected - [Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/scientists-drastically-underestimated-how-much-mercury-has-shrunk-2000808810) — Scientists Drastically Underestimated How Much Mercury Has Shrunk - [Live Science](https://livescience.com/space/mercury/mercury-may-have-shrunk-much-more-than-we-thought-new-study-hints) — Mercury may have shrunk much more than we thought, new study hints - [abc](https://abc.es/ciencia/mercurio-encogiendo-rapido-creia-20260910150000-nt.html) — Mercury Is Shrinking, and It Makes It a Lot Faster than It Was Thought. - [NBC Dallas-Fort Worth](https://nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/little-mercury-shrinking-faster-scientists/4075135) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected/article_a5dc549f-5017-5b14-bb68-35ed5c85ad38.html) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [Scientific American](https://scientificamerican.com/article/the-planet-mercury-is-shrinking-far-faster-than-we-thought) — The planet Mercury is shrinking far faster than we thought - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/sci-tech/2026/09/10/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/little-mercury-may-be-shrinking-faster-than-scientists-expected) — Little Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected ## Questions **How much is Mercury shrinking?** Scientists estimate Mercury's diameter may have shrunk by up to 14 miles (23 kilometers), a figure potentially 30% greater than previously believed. This contraction is attributed to its internal iron core cooling and shrinking. **What is causing Mercury to shrink?** The shrinkage is caused by Mercury's hot iron core cooling and contracting over billions of years. This internal process tightens the planet's surface, similar to how a grape shrivels into a raisin. **When will the BepiColombo spacecraft reach Mercury?** The European and Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft is expected to enter orbit around Mercury in November. It will conduct a fuller survey of the planet. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/tech/mercury-shrinkage-may-be-30-greater-than-previously-thought. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Mercury Shrinkage May Be 30% Greater Than Previously Thought", https://mediabias.news/tech/mercury-shrinkage-may-be-30-greater-than-previously-thought