The smallest of these is Mercury, and it also happens to be the planet in closest orbit to the sun. The planet rises or … Organic materials, which are the building blocks of life, have also been discovered, but the harsh conditions on Mercury cannot support life as it exists on Earth. Mercury is the closest planet to our Sun and is the smallest planet in our solar system. Mercury is only the second hottest planet .Despite being further from the Sun, Venus experiences higher temperatures. Recent studies show that Mercury indeed has a molten core, which is contrary to the solid iron core theory proposed throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries. Mercury gets its name from the Roman god of commerce, travel and industry. Only two probes have reached Mercury: NASA's Mariner 10in 1974-75 and NASA's MESSENGER in 2004. The Ultimate List of TV Shows set in Space or on Other Planets, The Planets and Moons of Star Wars to Scale. Although there is no conclusive evidence regarding why this occurs, astronomers link it to solar radiation pressure. It is grey in color, and has no atmosphere on its very hot … By Victor Kiprop on November 24 2019 in Environment. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest since Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet. Mercury is even smaller than some moons in the solar system. It takes Mercury 176 Earth days to complete a rotation around its axis and 88 days to complete a revolution around the Sun, meaning that a day is longer than its year. The orbital speed of Mercury is 47.8 km/sec (29.7 miles/sec). Surprisingly, given its proximity to the hot Sun, Mercury contains water ice. 50 interesting facts about Mercury. Nevertheless, researchers do not expect life to exist on the planet due to its unconducive environment. Moons offer a better understanding of the formation of planets, and the lack of a moon leaves certain questions unanswered. This figure was renowned for his swift movement and winged shoes. 35 Impressive Facts About the Planet Mercury Mercury is the smallest of all the planets in the solar system. Mercury plays peekaboo with the Sun, as the planet rises and sets close to when the Sun does, which can make it challenging to see it in the sky. 3. The elliptical orbit also influences its visibility from Earth, as it can move between clear visibility or not be visible at all. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. But it does have a tenuous atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium and potassium around it. Researchers believe that the core is made up of lighter materials that have lower melting points, such as sulfur. Mercury has a fragile atmosphere known as an exosphere. Mercury can also get as low as -270 degrees at its night. A day on the surface of Mercury lasts 176 Earth days. It was used in the form of pills, calomel, ointments and steam baths. The concentration of sulfur on Mercury is unlike any other planet in the Solar System. Interesting facts about Mercury Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and due to its proximity it is not easily seen except during twilight. Mercury tends to play peekaboo with the Sun, which makes it somewhat of an observing challenge. Additionally, Mercury has the greatest orbital eccentricity, ranging from 29 million mi to 43 million mi. While an average person only knows Mercury as the smallest planet, there are pretty interesting facts about this little planet you probably didn’t know. Mercury and the Sun are nearly in a tidal lock, which has slowed the planet's rotation. While other planets "self-heal" after collisions with comets and asteroids, Mercury does not, which has led to numerous craters on the planet's surface. 3. The side of Mercury that faces the Sun experiences temperatures of approximately 427 °C, while the alternate side can be as cold as -173 °C. Mercury revolves around the Sun at 112,000 mph, which is the fastest of all planets. Freddie Mercury's … Despite its proximity to Earth, Mercury is among the least explored planets due to its proximity to the Sun. Mercury is the smallest planet. Facts About Mercury Mercury is known as for the Roman messenger to the gods. In our solar system of planets the 5 closets planets to the Sun are made largely of rocky material. Mercury was the primary means of treatment for syphilis until the early 20th century. Top 10 interesting facts about mercury Mercury is the most cratered planet Looks life mercury likes to pick up fights with asteroids and meteors from time to time. However, Mercury takes 58.65 days to complete a round around its own axis. Mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. 2. Mercury travels around the sun at a speed of 180,000 kilometers per hour or 112,000 miles per hour. "While a typical vibrato will fluctuate between 5.4 Hz … In Greek mythology, Mercury — the messenger of the Roman gods — was called Hermes. Mercury zips around the sun faster than any other planet. This means it is very compact. 2. Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System. Mercury takes it’s name from the Roman messenger of the Gods. Astronomers believe that in the past, both planets had moons, but that the Sun’s immense gravity pulled them away. More Interesting Facts about Mercury. Facts about Mercury. In 2018, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the joint BepiColombomission that is expected to reach the orbit of Mercury in December 2025. 21. Only two probes have reached Mercury: NASA's, in 2004. The planet gets as close as 29 million miles (47 million km) to … This makes Mercury the fastest planet in entire Solar System. Earlier, Pluto held the record for being the smallest planet in the Solar System. Mercury is so close to the sun, it is hard to directly observe it from Earth except during dawn or twilight. Current astronomers believe that the darker skies of the past made it possible for ancient astronomers to see Mercury. Mercury: the Smallest Planet! It travels about 112,000 mph (180,000 km/h) along its elliptical orbit. For every two orbits of the Sun, Mercury completes three rotations about its axis and up until 1965 it was thought that the same side of Mercury constantly faced the Sun. by Jonathan O'Callaghan, 30 April 2013 Find out who the first astronaut in the USA’s inaugural spaceflight programme really was, and more, right here. Here are 20 kickass and interesting facts about Freddie Mercury. January 2, 2015 Peter Christoforou Astronomy Lists, Solar System 0. 1: Associated With All Things Fast. The exact date of Mercury’s discovery is unknown as pre-dates its 1st historical mention, one among the 1st mentions being by the Sumerians around in 3,000 BC. Mercury completes one complete revolution around our Sun in 88 days (days as on Earth and are referred to as Earth days). The orbit of Mercury is elliptical in shape. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun as well as the smallest planet in our solar system, in terms of both mass and volume. Mercury Crater Facts: Interesting Facts About the Planets Craters Unlike many other planets that “self-heal” through natural geological processes, the surface of Mercury is covered in craters. These are caused by numerous encounters with asteroids and comets. There is water ice on Mercury. 1. … comments. In 2018, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the joint. 22. Despite the fact that Mercury has been observed my humans for over 2000 years, little is known The closeness to the Sun and its smallness make it the most mysterious of planets that are apparent to the eye without support. Freddie Mercury Facts. 1. Mercury is nearly tidally locked to the Sun – also known as a gravitational lock – and over time this has slowed the rotation of the planet to almost match its orbit around the Sun. It is the smallest and closest planet to the Sun in the Solar System. 1. mission that is expected to reach the orbit of Mercury in December 2025. When Mercury orbits the Sun, it does it in more of an ellipse (oval) shape, rather than a sphere. Tragically, Freddie passed away aged just 45 with the cause of death being bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. Here’s some cool and fun facts about the planet Mercury. It’s not known who discovered Mercury. Ironically, the planet's existence was documented by ancient astronomers before the discovery of Venus and Mars. Mercury is the second hottest planet in the solar system, reaching up to 800 degrees. Mercury does not have any moons or rings. This is one of the coolest facts about Mercury. It's also the nearest planet to the Earth. So here are 14 interesting facts about Mercury that might leave you surprised. Image Source:- sciencemag. Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946 to Parsi parents in what is now the city of Zanzibar in Tanzania, back when it was still a British territory. Alchemists used to believe that mercury could be turned into gold when combined with other metals. Research shows that the concentration of magnesium, sodium, and calcium in Mercury’s atmosphere fluctuates depending on its distance from the Sun. A year on Mercury takes 88 Earth days. It is unable to retain heat, which is why the dark side of the planet is frigid. Despite Mercury being the closest planet to the Sun, Venus is the warmest planet. In the time it takes Pluto to go around the Sun once, 1028 years have passed on Mercury! It is found in craters near its poles, where sunlight never reaches. Mercury orbits the sun in 88 days, which means 1 Earth year on Mercury is 88 days. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and due to its proximity it is not easily seen except during twilight. Interesting Facts About Mercury: 21-25. Mercury has a light atmosphere that allows heat to escape, unlike Venus, which has a dense atmosphere that traps the heat. [1] They don't form a stable atmosphere. Mercury is hard to spot in the sky, but has been known for millennia. It is also one of five planets visible by the naked eye, along with Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. 10 Interesting Facts About Mercury. But, interesting facts about Mercury are the difference between one sunrise and one sunset is 176 days, i.e. A year in Mercury is 88 days, yet a Mercury day is 176 Earth days. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest since Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet. It is named after the ancient Roman god of trade and profit. Amazing facts about Mercury. Planet Mercury, the innermost planet in the solar system and the eighth. Thirteen times a century Mercury can be observed from the Earth passing across the face of the Sun in an event called a transit, the next will occur on the 9th May 2016. In Greek mythology, this messenger is known as Hermes. However, this ice is located within permanently shadowed craters that do not receive sunlight throughout the year. Five amazing facts about Project Mercury. The cores of smaller planets cool and solidify rapidly, but extensive research concludes that this is not the case for Mercury. Its orbit is immensely elliptical, as its distance from the Sun varies between 29 million mi and 43 million mi. The only other liquid element under standard conditions is bromine (a halogen ), although the metals rubidium, cesium, and gallium melt at a temperature just above room temperature. 10 Interesting Facts About The Great Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury was a British singer, songwriter and record producer, most famously known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen . It only appears at dusk and dawn. 2. 1-5 Kickass and Interesting Facts about Freddie Mercury 1. 1. It is challenging to travel between Earth and Mercury not only because the closest distance between the two planets is over 48 million mi, but also due to the immense temperature from the Sun. Venus has an average temperature of 427 °C, as its dense atmosphere circulates heat evenly throughout the planet. His speed is why Mercury got its name, as it is the fastest planet that orbits the sun. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. Wow! Mercury is so small that it has too little gravity to hold an atmosphere like Earth or Venus. The largest crater is the Caloris Basin, which has a diameter of 963 mi. Mercury may be the closest planet to the Sun, but it is not as hot as Venus. Mercury and Venus are the only two planets in the Solar System without either a moon or ring. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com, Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest since, Mercury and Venus are the only two planets in the Solar System, Mercury may be the closest planet to the Sun, but it is, Mercury Has Organic Material and Water Ice, It is challenging to travel between Earth and Mercury not only because the closest distance between the two planets is over 48 million mi, but also due to the immense temperature from the Sun. Mercury. Mercury’s diameter is only 4,876 kilometers, i.e., just about the size of the United States. Here are 15 interesting facts about planet Mercury. Among the many facts they concluded was that Mercury's vocal cords moved faster than the average person's. Mercury has a very high surface tension, so it forms rounded beads of liquid. half-day is equal to one year in Mercury. [1] Mercury cannot be seen by the naked eye when the sky is fully dark. 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