MERCURY

What does Mercury mean in Greek?

Roman version of the god Hermes.He was the messenger for the other

depicted with winged sandals. In addition to delivering messages, he was

also the protector of travelers, and merchants.

HERMES HERMES SYMBOL

THE ROMANS CALLED MERCURY (MERCUIUS) BECAUSE IT MOVES SO SWIFTLY

DISTANCE FROM THE SUN

Mercury is located 57,910,000 km (36 million miles) (0.38 AU) from the Sun. 

It is the first planet from the Sun.Mercury is a inner planet . It is a terrestrial or rocky planet (Like

Earth).

DIAMETERo 4,878km (3,032

miles) at its equator, which is about two-fifths of Earth's diameter.

o 0.38 OF EARTHS DIAMETER OR 3,032 MILES

ORBITROTATION = 59 EARTH DAYSREVOLUTION = 88 EARTH DAYSMercury takes only 88 Earth days to

complete one orbit, but it rotates slowly on its own axis, only once every 59 days. This means that it rotates precisely three times for every two orbits.

ATMOSPHERE

Mercury is dry, extremely hot and almost airless.Planet Mercury is too small for its gravity to

retain any significant atmosphere over long periods of time.

Mercury’s thin atmosphere contains hydrogen, helium and oxygen. It also has smaller amount of sodium, potassium , calcium and magnesium.

Composition Mercury is the second densest major body in

the solar system after Planet Earth.Mass: 5.5% of Earth’s Mercury's smaller mass makes its force of

gravity only about a third as strong as that of the Earth. An object that weighs 100 pounds on the Earth would weigh only about 38 pounds on Mercury.

• INTERNAL STRUCTURE

Mercury’s interior has three main parts: a core, mantle, and crust.

Mercury is the most iron-rich planet in the Solar System.

SURFACE

The surface of Mercury consists of CRATERED TERRAIN and smooth PLAINS and many deep craters similar to those on the moon.

The craters formed when meteors or small comets crashed into the planet. The largest known crater is CALORIS BASIN , with a diameter of 1300 km (800 miles)

Mercury’s size and surface are similar to that of our moon.

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MERCURY MOON

CALORIS BASIN

TEMPERATURE Being the smallest planet and the one closest to the sun gives

Mercury a fiery reputation. During day Mercury temperature can raise to a searing 750°F

(400°C) then at night can plunge to -290°F (-180°C) This is because of Mercury’s thin atmosphere letting the sun

rays in and out easily, resulting in drastic temperature changes.

Mercury is very hot during the day and very cold during the night 

 On Mercury the sun shines 6 times more brightly then on earth and the because of the thin atmosphere the sky will be black.

ICE CAPS AT THE POLES?

Scientists think that Mercury may have ice caps at its north and south poles.

They think that the ice exist deep inside craters. The floors of these craters constantly stay in shadows, so the Sun doesn’t melt the ice.

Scans of Mercury made by Earth-based radar indicate that craters at Mercury's poles contain water ice .

Mission to Mercury

Missions to Mercury have been limited, there has been only two space crafts that have voyaged to Mercury

 In 1974-1975 the probe Mariner 10 flew past Mercury tree times and photographed half the surface.

Then in August 2004 Messenger was launched to map the surface of planet Mercury and study the magnetic field and composition. Messenger is still active, orbiting Mercury.

NEED TO KNOW

 Mercury is the 1st planet from the sun (Closest) Looks almost like our moon but has no moons of its own. Mercury doesn’t have any natural satellites. Known for its temperature changes No wind No water. No oxygen No chance for alien life. Mercury is part of the five  planets that can be seen

without a telescope