Podcast
Questions and Answers
Mercury's orbit is circular in shape.
Mercury's orbit is circular in shape.
False
The Caloris Basin on Mercury is believed to have been formed by volcanic activity.
The Caloris Basin on Mercury is believed to have been formed by volcanic activity.
False
Mercury's rotation is very fast, taking only about 10 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis.
Mercury's rotation is very fast, taking only about 10 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis.
False
Mercury's core makes up about 30% of the planet's mass.
Mercury's core makes up about 30% of the planet's mass.
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Mercury has a thick atmosphere, composed of mostly nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Mercury has a thick atmosphere, composed of mostly nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
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Mercury's surface is geologically active, with many volcanoes and earthquakes.
Mercury's surface is geologically active, with many volcanoes and earthquakes.
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Mercury's rotation is not tidally locked, meaning that different sides of the planet face the sun.
Mercury's rotation is not tidally locked, meaning that different sides of the planet face the sun.
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NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft flew by Mercury only once in 2011.
NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft flew by Mercury only once in 2011.
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Study Notes
Mercury Overview
- Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, with a diameter of approximately 4,879 kilometers.
- It is the closest planet to the sun, with an average distance of about 58 million kilometers.
- Mercury is a rocky, barren planet with a highly elliptical orbit.
Composition
- Mercury's crust is composed of silicate rocks and metals.
- The planet's core is large, making up about 70% of the planet's mass, and is composed of iron and silicate minerals.
- Mercury has a thin mantle, making up about 30% of the planet's mass.
Surface Features
- Mercury's surface is heavily cratered, indicating a geologically inactive surface.
- The planet has numerous fault lines, indicating tectonic activity in the past.
- Mercury has a large, dark plain known as the Caloris Basin, which is believed to have been formed by a massive asteroid impact.
Orbit and Rotation
- Mercury's orbit is highly elliptical, taking about 88 Earth days to complete.
- The planet's rotation is very slow, taking about 59 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis.
- Mercury's rotation is tidally locked, meaning that the same side of the planet always faces the sun.
Atmosphere
- Mercury has a very thin atmosphere, known as an exosphere, which is composed of helium, oxygen, and hydrogen.
- The atmosphere is thought to be the result of solar winds and meteoroid impacts.
Exploration
- Mercury has been explored by NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft in the 1970s, which provided the first close-up images of the planet.
- NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015, providing a wealth of new information about the planet's geology, magnetosphere, and atmosphere.
Mercury Overview
- Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, with a diameter of approximately 4,879 kilometers.
- It is the closest planet to the sun, with an average distance of about 58 million kilometers.
- Mercury is a rocky, barren planet with a highly elliptical orbit.
Composition
- Mercury's crust is composed of silicate rocks and metals.
- The planet's core is large, making up about 70% of the planet's mass, and is composed of iron and silicate minerals.
- Mercury has a thin mantle, making up about 30% of the planet's mass.
Surface Features
- Mercury's surface is heavily cratered, indicating a geologically inactive surface.
- The planet has numerous fault lines, indicating tectonic activity in the past.
- Mercury has a large, dark plain known as the Caloris Basin, believed to have been formed by a massive asteroid impact.
Orbit and Rotation
- Mercury's orbit is highly elliptical, taking about 88 Earth days to complete.
- The planet's rotation is very slow, taking about 59 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis.
- Mercury's rotation is tidally locked, meaning that the same side of the planet always faces the sun.
Atmosphere
- Mercury has a very thin atmosphere, known as an exosphere, composed of helium, oxygen, and hydrogen.
- The atmosphere is thought to be the result of solar winds and meteoroid impacts.
Exploration
- Mercury has been explored by NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft in the 1970s, providing the first close-up images of the planet.
- NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015, providing a wealth of new information about the planet's geology, magnetosphere, and atmosphere.
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Description
Get to know the smallest planet in our solar system, Mercury, including its composition, orbit, and unique features.
