Introduction
Mercury has been known to us since 300BC and is a very small planet close to the sun making it hard to see. Mercury can only been seen with a telescope before sunset or just after dawn. It appears as a small spot in front of the surface of the sun. There is no life on Mercury, extreme temperature changes make this impossible.
Facts about Mercury
- Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system
- It has no atmosphere, ring system or moons
- It takes 88 days to orbit the sun
- The temperature on Mercury’s surface is between -170 and 420 degrees Celsius
- Mercury is the second hottest planet, Venus is the first
- It has the more craters than any other planet, this is caused by comets and asteroids.
- Mercury was named after a Roman god, Mercury was the son of Maia Maiestas and Jupiter.
- Sunrise to sunset, one day on Mercury takes 87 earth days
- Mercury is 70% iron which is located at its core, making it the second densest planet in our solar system after Earth.
- Two space craft’s have visited Mercury, Mariner 10 and Messenger.
Mercury Data
- Diameter (Km) 4879
- Mass 328.5E21 kg
- Density (Kg/m³) 5427
- Temperature (°C) -170 to 420
- Distance from sun (Km) 58 Million
- Rotation period 1407.6 hours
- Length of Day 4222.6 hours
- Orbital period 88 Days
- Number of moons 0
- Magnetic field Yes
- Ring system No