Things to Know
Craters: Unlike many other planets which “self-heal” through natural geological processes, the surface of Mercury is not self healing and is covered in craters. They are caused by asteroids and comets crashing into the crust. Craters on Mercury are named after famous writers and artists. Any crater larger than 250 kilometres in diameter is referred to as a Basin. The Caloris Basin is the largest impact crater on Mercury covering approximately 1,550 km in diameter.
Made of: When the Sun formed, it pushed lighter gas and dust out of the inner Solar System, leaving heavier elements. This caused Mercury to be made out of a of the heavier elements, mainly iron. Mercury is a large metal ball of iron with a very thin silicate crust the molten core is 75% and the crust is 500 to 600 km thick.
Wrinkles: As the iron core of the planet cooled and contracted, the surface of the planet became wrinkled. Scientist have named these wrinkles, Lobate Scarps.
Known Satellites: none
Notable Satellites: none
Orbit Distance: 57,909,227 km (0.39 AU)
Orbit Period: 87.97 Earth days
Surface Temperature: -173 to 427°C The surface of Mercury which faces the Sun sees temperatures of up to 427°C, whilst on the alternate side this can be as low as -173°C. This is due to the planet having no atmosphere to help regulate the temperature.
Mass: 330,104,000,000,000 billion kg (0.055 x Earth)
Equatorial Diameter: 4,879
Polar Diameter: 4,879
Equatorial Circumference: 15,329 km
Density: Mercury is the second most dense planet in our Solar System. Each cubic centimetre has a density of 5.4 grams, with only the Earth having a higher density. This is largely due to Mercury being composed mainly of heavy metals and rock.
Distance from the sun: Mercury is the closest planet to the sun
Temperature: The surface of Mercury which faces the Sun sees temperatures of up to 427°C, whilst on the alternate side this can be as low as -173°C. This is due to the planet having no atmosphere to help regulate the temperature.
The Core: The solid iron core of Mercury is actually molten. Normally the core of smaller planets cools rapidly, but after research, the results were not in line with those expected from a solid core. Scientists believe the core contains a lighter element such as sulphur, which would lower the melting temperature of the core material. It is estimated Mercury’s core makes up 42% of its volume.
Orbit: Mercury's orbit is not a perfect circle like most of the other planets. It's actually egg-shaped. At times, Mercury's orbit brings it closer to the Sun than other times, while all the other planets that have circular orbits are always the same distance from the Sun.
Rotation Period: Mercury has a rotational period of 58.646 Earth days and an orbital period of 0.241 earth years.
Craters: Unlike many other planets which “self-heal” through natural geological processes, the surface of Mercury is not self healing and is covered in craters. They are caused by asteroids and comets crashing into the crust. Craters on Mercury are named after famous writers and artists. Any crater larger than 250 kilometres in diameter is referred to as a Basin. The Caloris Basin is the largest impact crater on Mercury covering approximately 1,550 km in diameter.
Made of: When the Sun formed, it pushed lighter gas and dust out of the inner Solar System, leaving heavier elements. This caused Mercury to be made out of a of the heavier elements, mainly iron. Mercury is a large metal ball of iron with a very thin silicate crust the molten core is 75% and the crust is 500 to 600 km thick.
Wrinkles: As the iron core of the planet cooled and contracted, the surface of the planet became wrinkled. Scientist have named these wrinkles, Lobate Scarps.
Known Satellites: none
Notable Satellites: none
Orbit Distance: 57,909,227 km (0.39 AU)
Orbit Period: 87.97 Earth days
Surface Temperature: -173 to 427°C The surface of Mercury which faces the Sun sees temperatures of up to 427°C, whilst on the alternate side this can be as low as -173°C. This is due to the planet having no atmosphere to help regulate the temperature.
Mass: 330,104,000,000,000 billion kg (0.055 x Earth)
Equatorial Diameter: 4,879
Polar Diameter: 4,879
Equatorial Circumference: 15,329 km
Density: Mercury is the second most dense planet in our Solar System. Each cubic centimetre has a density of 5.4 grams, with only the Earth having a higher density. This is largely due to Mercury being composed mainly of heavy metals and rock.
Distance from the sun: Mercury is the closest planet to the sun
Temperature: The surface of Mercury which faces the Sun sees temperatures of up to 427°C, whilst on the alternate side this can be as low as -173°C. This is due to the planet having no atmosphere to help regulate the temperature.
The Core: The solid iron core of Mercury is actually molten. Normally the core of smaller planets cools rapidly, but after research, the results were not in line with those expected from a solid core. Scientists believe the core contains a lighter element such as sulphur, which would lower the melting temperature of the core material. It is estimated Mercury’s core makes up 42% of its volume.
Orbit: Mercury's orbit is not a perfect circle like most of the other planets. It's actually egg-shaped. At times, Mercury's orbit brings it closer to the Sun than other times, while all the other planets that have circular orbits are always the same distance from the Sun.
Rotation Period: Mercury has a rotational period of 58.646 Earth days and an orbital period of 0.241 earth years.
Mercury: "In astronomy mythology, Mercury was the Roman version of the Greek god Hermes. He was the messenger for the other gods, and for this reason Mercury is often depicted in pictures with winged sandals. In addition to delivering messages, he was also the protector of travelers and merchants.Mercury was known since at least Sumerian times roughly 5,000 years ago, where it was often associated with Nabu, the god of writing. Mercury was also given separate names for its appearance as both a morning star and as an evening star. Greek astronomers knew, however, that the two names referred to the same body. Heraclitus believed that both Mercury and Venus orbited the sun, not Earth,"(Space.com).
Satellites: Mercury has a new Satellite named the messenger. This satellite has achieved what no spacecraft before has done before. Mercury is now the final planet to be orbited by a man-made spacecraft, as well as the last of the inner planets to currently have an active orbiting research satellite of some sort.
Also, on the satellite Messenger there is a bounce house that is great for parties and activities. this is apart of the Mercury Resort.
Also, on the satellite Messenger there is a bounce house that is great for parties and activities. this is apart of the Mercury Resort.