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Q: Why do temperatures on mercury vary so much?
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Why does temperatures on mercury vary so much?

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and it also has a very eccentric orbit. At its perihelion it is only 46 million km from the Sun - compared to 147 million for the Earth. The intensity of solar radiation (across the whole spectrum) is 4.6 to 10.6 times that on Earth. Furthermore, Mercury has no significant atmosphere to redistribute the heat from the insolation. As a result temperatures at perihelion, in direct sunlight reaches 700 K. Meanwhile, the near-absence of an atmosphere allows the heat to be radiated away into space at night so that temperatures drop to 80 K.


How is mercury and Pluto different?

There are two main similarities between Mercury and Pluto. One is their smaller sizes, although Pluto is far smaller than Mercury. The other is their extreme distance from the sun. So Mercury is the closest known planet to the sun while Pluto was considered the furthest.


Have an astronauts visited mercury if so how and when?

Nobody has ever visited Mercury due to its highly inhospitable surface conditions. Temperatures can vary by as much as 600 degrees Kelvin. Surface conditions have been observed for many centuries using telescopes, both on Earth and from space. The surface is hard, rocky, and cratered in a way similar to the moon.


Why is venus more hoter than Mercury?

Venus is hotter than Mercury because Venus has a atmosphere and Mercury doesn't so Mercury can't keep so much heat in as Venus can.


Is the liquid in the thermometer harmful?

Mercury. Very much so. But you have to drink it for it to be so.

Related questions

Why does mercury's temp vary so much?

Mercury's temperatures varies so much because it doesn't have that much carbon dioxide as Venus in the solar system does


What makes the Moon change temperatures?

Temperatures on the moon vary so much because it has no atmosphere.


How do temperatures on the moon different from the earth?

Temperatures vary so much because the moon does not have an atmosphere.


How do temperatures on the moon differ from those on Earth?

Temperatures vary so much because the moon does not have an atmosphere.


How do temperatures on the moon different from those on earth?

Temperatures vary so much because the moon does not have an atmosphere.


Why does temperatures on mercury vary so much?

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and it also has a very eccentric orbit. At its perihelion it is only 46 million km from the Sun - compared to 147 million for the Earth. The intensity of solar radiation (across the whole spectrum) is 4.6 to 10.6 times that on Earth. Furthermore, Mercury has no significant atmosphere to redistribute the heat from the insolation. As a result temperatures at perihelion, in direct sunlight reaches 700 K. Meanwhile, the near-absence of an atmosphere allows the heat to be radiated away into space at night so that temperatures drop to 80 K.


How is mercury and Pluto different?

There are two main similarities between Mercury and Pluto. One is their smaller sizes, although Pluto is far smaller than Mercury. The other is their extreme distance from the sun. So Mercury is the closest known planet to the sun while Pluto was considered the furthest.


What is the range measured by Mercury thermometer?

Mercury freezes at -38.83 °C (-37.89 °F) so it can only be used at temperatures higher than this.


Why did temperatures on the moon vary so much?

Because there is no atmosphere the greenhouse effect does not take place. All of the suns rays are reaching the moon with full power.


Describe the range of temperatures on the moon?

On the moon's surface temperatures range from a torride 130 degrees Celsius in direct sunlight to a frigid 180 degrees Celsius at night. Temperatures on the moon vary so much because it has no atmosphere. The moon's surface gravity is so weak that gases can easily escape into space.


What are the average temperatures on Mercury?

VERY COLD! Mercury has no atmosphere to retain the heat, so on the side not facing the Sun, it can get down to like, -270 degrees Fahrenheit


How cold is it in Russia?

Well its the biggest country in the world, so their are a vary of different temperatures, to the east near korea its warm but north and west near siberia is pretty much winter