The innermost planet in our solar system is very strange.
The innermost planet in our solar system is very strange.
Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, is only slightly larger than Earth's moon and is pockmarked with craters.
Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, is only slightly larger than Earth's moon and is pockmarked with craters.
The planet is visible to the unaided eye and as such as has long been known to humans.
The planet is visible to the unaided eye and as such as has long been known to humans.
LARGEST TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
LARGEST TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Even though Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, its surface can still be extremely cold, thanks to its lack of a heat-trapping atmosphere.
Even though Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, its surface can still be extremely cold, thanks to its lack of a heat-trapping atmosphere.
LARGEST TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
LARGEST TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
The temperature during the day can reach a scorching 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius),
The temperature during the day can reach a scorching 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius),
LARGEST TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
LARGEST TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
but at night, temperatures can plummet as low as minus 290 F (minus 180 C), according to NASA.
but at night, temperatures can plummet as low as minus 290 F (minus 180 C), according to NASA.
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system.
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system.
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
The dinky planet is approximately 3,030 miles (4,876 kilometers) in diameter,
The dinky planet is approximately 3,030 miles (4,876 kilometers) in diameter,
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
making it about as wide as the continental United States and only slightly bigger than Earth's moon.
making it about as wide as the continental United States and only slightly bigger than Earth's moon.
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Saturn's moon Titan and Jupiter's moon Ganymede are both larger than Mercury.
Saturn's moon Titan and Jupiter's moon Ganymede are both larger than Mercury.
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Pluto was long considered to be the smallest planet in the solar system, but after it was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006,
Pluto was long considered to be the smallest planet in the solar system, but after it was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006,
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
THE SMALLEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
the award of the smallest planet has been bestowed upon Mercury.
the award of the smallest planet has been bestowed upon Mercury.
A BIZARRE ORBIT
A BIZARRE ORBIT
Mercury speeds around the sun every 88 Earth days, hurtling along at nearly 29 miles (47 kilometers) per second — faster than any other planet in the solar system,according to NASA.
Mercury speeds around the sun every 88 Earth days, hurtling along at nearly 29 miles (47 kilometers) per second — faster than any other planet in the solar system,according to NASA.
A BIZARRE ORBIT
A BIZARRE ORBIT
Mercury's orbit is not only very fast but also highly elliptical.
Mercury's orbit is not only very fast but also highly elliptical.
A BIZARRE ORBIT
A BIZARRE ORBIT
The planet gets as close as 29 million miles (47 million km) to the sun and as far as 42 million miles (70 million km) from the sun.
The planet gets as close as 29 million miles (47 million km) to the sun and as far as 42 million miles (70 million km) from the sun.
SURFACE ICE LOCATED NEAR POLES
SURFACE ICE LOCATED NEAR POLES
In 2012, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft discovered water ice inside some of Mercury's craters. In 2017,
In 2012, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft discovered water ice inside some of Mercury's craters. In 2017,
SURFACE ICE LOCATED NEAR POLES
SURFACE ICE LOCATED NEAR POLES
it was confirmed that Mercury has much more ice strewn across its north polar region than previously thought.
it was confirmed that Mercury has much more ice strewn across its north polar region than previously thought.