Planet Mercury: Facts and Features

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Questions and Answers

Why does Mercury experience extreme temperature variations between day and night?

  • Its proximity to the sun results in intense solar radiation during the day.
  • Its surface is primarily composed of materials with low thermal conductivity.
  • Its slow rotation rate causes prolonged exposure to sunlight and darkness.
  • It lacks a substantial atmosphere to trap and distribute heat evenly. (correct)

What evidence suggests the potential presence of water ice on Mercury?

  • Detection of radar-bright features in permanently shadowed craters at the poles. (correct)
  • The presence of hydrated minerals in Mercury's crustal composition.
  • Direct observation of surface features resembling frozen lakes.
  • Analysis of exospheric gases detected by the MESSENGER probe.

Why is Mariner 10 significant in the exploration of Mercury?

  • It was the first spacecraft to perform flybys of Mercury, studying its surface and environment. (correct)
  • It was the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury and map its entire surface.
  • It confirmed the existence of a magnetic field around Mercury.
  • It was the first mission to discover evidence of water ice on Mercury.

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

<p>To study Mercury's magnetic field, surface, and interior using two separate orbiters . (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mercury have a relatively short orbital period (year) compared to Earth?

<p>Mercury is closer to the Sun, resulting in a shorter distance to travel in its orbit. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do 'crater rays' form on Mercury's surface?

<p>Asteroid or comet impacts ejecting bright material that spreads across the surface. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary components of Mercury's internal structure?

<p>A large iron core, a rocky mantle, and a solid crust. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Mercury named after the Roman god of travel?

<p>Because of its rapid movement across the sky compared to other planets. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key objective achieved by the MESSENGER mission to Mercury?

<p>Determining Mercury's surface composition and revealing its geological history. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did Venus play in the Mariner 10 mission's trajectory to Mercury?

<p>Venus acted as a gravitational slingshot, altering Mariner 10's speed and direction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic distinguishes Mercury from other planets in our solar system?

<p>It has the shortest orbital period and the greatest temperature extremes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What caused the numerous craters on Mercury's surface?

<p>Collisions with meteoroids, comets, and asteroids. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how long does it take Mercury to complete one rotation on its axis?

<p>59 Earth days (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Mercury's slow rotation rate affect the length of a solar day on the planet?

<p>It leads to a solar day that is significantly longer than its orbital period. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary scientific objective of ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)?

<p>To study Mercury's surface composition and internal structure in detail. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the proximity of a planet to the sun typically affect its orbital speed?

<p>Planets closer to the sun move faster in their orbits. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might water ice be preserved in craters near Mercury's poles despite the planet's high temperatures?

<p>Regions in permanent shadows remain cold enough to prevent ice from sublimating. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before the BepiColombo mission, which spacecraft had previously visited Mercury?

<p>Mariner 10 and MESSENGER (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated age of Mercury, based on its formation alongside the rest of the solar system?

<p>About 4.5 billion years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of Mercury?

<p>A ring system (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mercury's Formation

Formed 4.5 billion years ago from swirling gas and dust, Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun with a central core, rocky mantle, and solid crust.

Mercury's namesake

Mercury is named after the Roman God of travel, also known as Hermes in Greek mythology.

Mercury's Size and Position

Smallest planet in our solar system, a little bigger than Earth's Moon, and the closest planet to the Sun.

Mercury's Surface

Mercury's surface is solid, heavily cratered from impacts by meteoroids, comets, and asteroids early in the solar system's history.

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Surface Appearance

Mercury's surface appears greyish-brown with bright streaks called 'crater rays,' formed upon asteroid or comet strikes.

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Temperature Extremes

Mercury's surface temperatures range from 800°F (430°C) during the day to -290°F (-180°C) at night due to its proximity to the Sun and lack of atmosphere.

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Water Ice on Mercury

Water ice may exist in permanently shadowed craters at Mercury's north and south poles, cold enough to preserve ice.

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Orbital Speed

Mercury is the fastest planet, orbiting the Sun in just 88 Earth days.

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Rotation and Year Length

Mercury rotates slowly, with one day lasting 59 Earth days, but a year goes by in just 88 Earth days.

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Mariner 10 Mission

NASA's Mariner 10 was the first spacecraft to fly by Mercury, using Venus's gravity to adjust its speed and trajectory.

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MESSENGER Mission

NASA's MESSENGER was the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury, discovering water in its exosphere and orbiting for over four years.

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BepiColombo Mission

ESA and JAXA's BepiColombo is a joint mission with two spacecraft to study Mercury, scheduled to orbit in 2025.

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Study Notes

  • Mercury formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago due to gravity-driven gas and dust swirling.
  • Mercury is nearest the Sun.
  • Mercury has a central core, a rocky mantle, and a solid crust, similar to other terrestrial planets.
  • Mercury is named after the Roman god of travel and is also called Hermes, the Greek god messenger.
  • Hermes is depicted with winged shoes, symbolizing fast movement, like the planet Mercury.
  • Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system, being slightly larger than Earth's Moon.
  • Despite being closest to the Sun, Mercury is not the hottest planet as Venus is hotter.
  • Mercury features a solid surface filled with craters like Earth’s Moon, made by impacts from meteoroids, comets and asteroids.
  • The surface of Mercury is mainly greyish-brown, featuring bright streaks known as "crater rays".
  • Crater rays form following an asteroid or comet impact.
  • Temperatures on Mercury's surface vary widely, with daytime temperatures reaching 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius).
  • The lack of an atmosphere causes nighttime temperatures to plummet to minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 180 degrees Celsius).
  • Water ice may exist in permanently shadowed deep craters at Mercury's north and south poles.
  • Mercury is the fastest planet, traveling at nearly 29 miles (47 kilometers) per second.
  • Mercury has the shortest year of any planet at 88 Earth days.
  • Mercury rotates slowly, with one rotation taking 59 Earth days, but an orbit takes only 88 Earth days.

Exploration of Mercury

  • Two NASA missions have explored Mercury.
  • Mariner 10 was the first spacecraft to fly by Mercury, also using Venus' gravity to adjust its speed and trajectory in the process.
  • MESSENGER was the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury
  • MESSENGER discovered significant water amounts in Mercury's exosphere.
  • The MESSENGER spacecraft orbited Mercury for over four years.
  • The MESSENGER mission determined Mercury's surface composition, revealed its geological history, detailed its internal magnetic field, and verified water-ice in its polar deposits.
  • The MESSENGER mission concluded when it intentionally crashed into Mercury’s surface.
  • The ESA and JAXA launched the BepiColombo mission in 2018, comprised of two spacecraft which include the ESA-built Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA-supplied Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter.
  • BepiColombo is scheduled to orbit Mercury by 2025.
  • The Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) will investigate Mercury's surface and interior.
  • The Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MIO) will study Mercury's magnetic field.
  • BepiColombo represents the first Mercury missions for the ESA and Japan.

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