Mercury is the smallest and innermost planet in the Solar System. It’s just little bigger than Earth’s moon. It is the closest planet to the sun, but it’s actually not the hottest. Venus is hotter. It’s name is Roman deity Mercury, the messenger of the gods. This planet is known for its short year, long days, extreme temperature and weird sunsets.
GENERAL FACTS ABOUT MERCURY
| Surface | 74.8 million km2 |
| Radius | 2,440 km |
| Mass | 3.285 * 1023 kg |
| Longitude of Ascending Node | 48.331 degree |
| Volume | 6.083*1010 km3 |
AMAZING FACTS ABOUT THIS PLANET
1 One day on mercury is equal to 176 Earth days.
Mercury is very closest to the Sun and over millions and billions of years rotating around the Sun, it has slowed its rotation of the planet to match its solar orbit around the Sun.
2. One Mercury year = 88 days
On Earth, 1 year comprises of 365 days but on this planet, 1 year is just 88 days long. Also, on this planet, one solar day is equal to 176 days on Earth.
3. Two Mercuries?
People of early civilization believed that there were two different planets instead of the one planet Mercury. It’s because they could see Mercury twice a day once in morning and then again in the evening.
4. Mercury’s crazy temperature
It is so close to the Sun, which will make anyone think that it has a very high temperature. But actually, the temperature of this planet varies greatly during the night and the day. During the day, its temperature may reach up to 427 degree Celsius while at night, it can drop down to minus 173 degree Celsius.
5. The Planet with a tail
It has a tail! In addition, it has recently been discovered that this planet moves with a long comet- like a tail behind it. This tail is made up of sodium atoms, which are pushed off by the intense pressure of the Sun’s radiation. Sometimes it looks as if it is wearing a long flapping cape!
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