Planet Mercury: Facts and Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

Why does Mercury experience such extreme temperature variations compared to other planets?

  • Its molten core generates excessive heat.
  • Its lack of a substantial atmosphere to distribute heat evenly. (correct)
  • Its extremely slow rotational speed.
  • Its close proximity to other planets.

What is the significance of Mercury's 3:2 spin-orbit resonance?

  • It stabilizes Mercury's orbit, preventing it from colliding with the Sun.
  • It causes Mercury to have a very strong magnetic field.
  • It results in extremely short days on Mercury.
  • It means that Mercury rotates three times on its axis for every two revolutions it makes around the Sun. (correct)

What evidence suggests the presence of water ice on Mercury, despite its high surface temperatures?

  • Direct observation from Earth-based telescopes.
  • The existence of permanently shadowed craters near Mercury's poles. (correct)
  • Analysis of surface samples collected by the BepiColombo mission.
  • Detection of water vapor in Mercury's atmosphere.

How does Mercury's high orbital eccentricity affect its distance from the Sun?

<p>It results in significant variations in its distance from the Sun. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of the BepiColombo mission to Mercury?

<p>To study Mercury's surface, interior, and magnetic field in greater detail. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What accounts for Mercury's orbital speed being faster than any other planet in the solar system?

<p>It is closer to the Sun. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a result of Mercury's relatively large iron core?

<p>A very weak magnetic field. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was Mariner 10's mission to Mercury considered groundbreaking?

<p>It provided the first close-up images of Mercury's surface. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Mercury's surface appearance compare to that of the Moon?

<p>Mercury has a similar heavily cratered surface. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following gases is NOT a component of Mercury's exosphere?

<p>Carbon Dioxide (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Mercury's lack of moons or rings affect its study?

<p>It simplifies the study as researchers do not have to account for their gravitational influences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the understanding of Mercury's composition contribute to general planetary science?

<p>It provides insight into the processes of planet formation and evolution under extreme conditions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the speed at which Mercury orbits the sun compare to the length of its day?

<p>A year on Mercury is shorter than its day. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenges do scientists face when trying to study Mercury from Earth?

<p>Its proximity to the Sun makes it difficult to observe. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What insight does Mercury's geological activity offer into planetary science?

<p>It challenges existing models of planetary evolution, since Mercury was thought to be geologically inactive. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding Mercury's magnetic field important?

<p>It provides insights into the planet's interior structure and dynamics. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the composition of Mercury's core?

<p>A multi-layered structure of iron, sulfide, and a solid inner core. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes studying Mercury's exosphere challenging?

<p>Its extremely thin and variable nature. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the implications of Mercury being tidally locked with the sun?

<p>Extremely long solar days and uneven surface temperatures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might future studies of Mercury contribute to our understanding of the formation of the solar system?

<p>They could reveal what unique conditions led to the formation of a planet dominated by a metallic core. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mercury

The planet closest to the Sun in our solar system.

Mercury's size and location

The smallest planet in our solar system and the closest to the sun.

Mercury's orbital period

The time it takes Mercury to orbit the Sun.

3:2 Spin-Orbit Resonance

A state where Mercury rotates three times on its axis for every two revolutions around the Sun.

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Solar day on Mercury

The duration from one sunrise to the next on Mercury.

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Mercury's Surface Gravity

The ratio of Mercury's surface gravity compared to Earth's.

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Mercury's Exosphere

Mercury has a very thin one, comprised of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium, potassium and water vapor.

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Mercury's Internal Structure

The composition of Mercury's internal structure.

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Size of Mercury's iron core

The percentage of Mercury's radius that its iron core makes up.

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Mercury's Magnetic Field

The strength of Mercury's magnetic field relative to Earth's.

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Orbital Eccentricity of Mercury

The measurement of how elliptical Mercury's orbit is.

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Mercury's Perihelion

The closest point in Mercury's orbit to the Sun.

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Mercury's Aphelion

The farthest point in Mercury's orbit from the Sun.

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Mercury's dayside temperature

Temperatures can reach up to 430 degrees Celsius (800 degrees Fahrenheit).

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Mercury's nightside temperature

Temperatures can drop to as low as -180 degrees Celsius (-290 degrees Fahrenheit).

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Cause of Mercury's Temperature Extremes

Why Mercury has such extreme temperature variation.

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Mariner 10

The NASA mission that flew by Mercury three times in the 1970s.

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MESSENGER Spacecraft

The NASA spacecraft that orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015.

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BepiColombo Mission

A joint mission between ESA and JAXA, launched in 2018, en route to Mercury.

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Roman god of commerce, travel, and thievery

Mercury is named after him.

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Study Notes

  • Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun in our solar system.

Mercury Facts

  • Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system
  • Mercury is the innermost planet in the Solar System.
  • Mercury's orbital period around the Sun is only 88 Earth days.
  • Mercury is tidally locked with the Sun in a 3:2 spin-orbit resonance.
  • This means that Mercury rotates three times on its axis for every two revolutions it makes around the Sun.
  • As a result, a solar day on Mercury (the time from one sunrise to the next) lasts about 176 Earth days.

Physical Characteristics

  • Mercury is a rocky planet with a heavily cratered surface, similar in appearance to the Moon.
  • Mercury's surface gravity is only 38% of Earth's.
  • Mercury has a very thin exosphere, containing hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium, potassium and water vapor.
  • Evidence suggests that Mercury has a solid silicate crust and mantle overlying a solid, iron sulfide outer core layer, a deeper liquid core layer, and a solid inner core.
  • Mercury has a large iron core, which makes up about 85% of the planet's radius.
  • Mercury's magnetic field strength is only about 1% of Earth's.

Orbit and Rotation

  • Mercury has the highest orbital eccentricity of any planet in the Solar System.
  • Mercury's distance from the Sun ranges from 46 million kilometers (28.6 million miles) at perihelion to 70 million kilometers (43.5 million miles) at aphelion.
  • Mercury travels around the Sun faster than any other planet.

Temperature

  • Mercury experiences extreme temperature variations.
  • On the dayside, temperatures can reach up to 430 degrees Celsius (800 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • On the nightside, temperatures can drop to as low as -180 degrees Celsius (-290 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • These extreme temperature differences are due to Mercury's lack of a substantial atmosphere to distribute heat evenly around the planet.
  • Despite the high surface temperatures, there is evidence of water ice existing in permanently shadowed craters near Mercury's poles.

Observation and Exploration

  • Mercury is difficult to observe from Earth due to its proximity to the Sun.
  • Several NASA missions have studied Mercury.
  • Mariner 10 flew by Mercury three times in 1974 and 1975, providing the first close-up images of the planet's surface.
  • The MESSENGER spacecraft orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015, mapping the planet's surface and studying its composition, magnetic field, and exosphere.
  • The BepiColombo mission, a joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), launched in 2018 and is currently en route to Mercury.
  • It is expected to arrive in 2025 and will study Mercury's surface, interior, and magnetic field in greater detail.

Interesting Facts

  • Mercury has no moons or rings.
  • Mercury is named after the Roman god of commerce, travel, and thievery.
  • A year on Mercury is shorter than a day.

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