Metallic core or Iron Core is the innermost layer of a planet, moon, or other celestial body composed mostly of iron and sometimes small amounts of nickel and other elements. Earth has a metallic core at its center, believed to be extremely hot, with temperatures estimated to be up to 5,700 degrees Celcius (10,232 degrees Fahrenheit). The metallic core is solid, despite the extreme temperatures, due to the enormous pressure exerted by the outer layers of the planet. The metallic core is an essential component of Earth's magnetic field, which is important for life as it shields the planet from harmful solar radiation. The presence of a metallic core, composed primarily of iron and other dense metals, is a common characteristic of rocky planets and large moons in the solar system.