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Planet Mercury
The planet closest to the sun and the smallest one in our solar system.
1,826 Questions
Why does mercury have a greater mass than Pluto?
Mercury has a greater mass than Pluto because Mercury is a dense rocky planet with a compact structure, while Pluto is a relatively small icy dwarf planet with a lower density. Therefore, despite being smaller in size, Mercury has more mass due to its composition.
How much hydrogen is there on Mercury?
Yes, water (ice) has been found on Mercury. To read more on NASA's findings, check out the related link below.
The water on the planet Mercury exists as ice, at the bottom of craters near the poles. These places are in permanent shadow, so the Sun can't heat them.
There is no LIQUID WATER on Mercury: the lack of an atmosphere, the solar wind, and the vast surface temperature differences prevent the formation of oceans as on Earth.
The surface temperature of Mercury is too hot for water to exist in a liquid state. but there is water in its solide state near the poles. this is due to the fact that even though mercury is very close to the sun mercury still is pretty cold near the poles
The surface of mercury is similar to the surface of what?
Mercury's surface is barren, arid, waterless and airless. Being so close to the Sun it is subjected to the full intensity of the Sun's light, ultra-violet and infra-red radiation, as well as blasts of high-speed particles thrown out by solar flares. The surface is heavily cratered from meteoric impacts, and there is also evidence of ancient lava flows in the distant past.
When Mercury's iron core cooled off it made Mercury shrunk half a mile and when it shrunk it made cliffs and from space it looks like its wrinkly its from the cooling episode.
~Unknown Teller~
If mercury is about 0.39 AU from the sun how far is it in km?
Mercury's average distance from the sun is about 0.39 astronomical units (AU), which is roughly 58 million kilometers (36 million miles).
Was the messenger probe successful?
Yes, the Messenger probe was successful. It provided valuable data and images of the planet Mercury, helping scientists to better understand its geology, composition, and magnetic field. The probe operated from 2011 to 2015 before its mission ended.
What is the orbit time of mercury in earth years?
About 88 Earth days, that's about 0.24 Earth years.
What are some activities you can do on mercury?
On Mercury, you could explore its rugged surface, study its extreme temperature variations, and observe the planet's unique orbit. However, due to its harsh conditions and lack of atmosphere, activities like human exploration or colonization would be extremely challenging.
What does Mercury look like and how far away from the sun is it?
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and has a rocky, cratered surface. It is located about 36 million miles (58 million kilometers) away from the sun on average, making it the closest planet to the sun.
How many times bigger than Mercury is Jupiter?
Jupiter has about 29.3 times the diameter of Mercury (at equator).
How hot and how cold can it get on mercury?
Temperatures on Mercury can reach up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius) on the side facing the Sun and drop to around -290 degrees Fahrenheit (-180 degrees Celsius) on the side facing away from the Sun. This extreme temperature difference is due to Mercury's lack of atmosphere to trap heat.
Venus has a thick atmosphere made up of mostly carbon dioxide, which traps heat from the sun in a greenhouse effect. This leads to high surface temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degrees Celsius), making it the hottest planet in our solar system despite it not being the closest to the sun.
Is Mercury the same size as Venus'?
No, Mercury is smaller than Venus in terms of size. Mercury has a diameter of about 4,880 kilometers while Venus has a diameter of about 12,104 kilometers.
Are mercury's craters volcanic?
No, mercury's craters are not volcanic. They are formed due to impacts from meteoroids or asteroids hitting the surface of the planet. Volcanic activity on Mercury has been minimal compared to other planetary bodies.
Land masses and island of Mercury?
Mercury does not have any land masses or islands, as it is a rocky planet with a barren surface covered in craters and plains. The surface of Mercury is heavily cratered due to impacts from asteroids and comets. It does not have any large bodies of water or features resembling land masses or islands like those found on Earth.
No, modern batteries do not contain mercury. Mercury is a toxic material and is no longer used in most consumer batteries due to environmental and health concerns.
What criteria are the planets placed into either the Jovian or terrestrial groups?
Planets are classified into terrestrial or Jovian groups based on their composition, size, and distance from the sun. Terrestrial planets like Earth are small, dense, and rocky, while Jovian planets like Jupiter are large, gaseous, and have thick atmospheres. The location of the planets in relation to the asteroid belt also plays a role in their classification.
What planet has a very thick atmosphere that traps heat close to its surface?
Venus has a very thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, which traps heat close to its surface through the greenhouse effect. This results in Venus having one of the hottest surface temperatures in our solar system, even hotter than Mercury, despite being farther from the Sun.
Venus gravitational field strength?
The gravitational field strength on Venus is about 8.87 m/s^2, which is about 91% of Earth's gravitational field strength. This means that objects on Venus would feel slightly lighter compared to on Earth.
What gases do Jovian planets contain?
The Jovian planets, or "Gas Giants" are not all comprised of the same gases. The Traditional Jovian planets, Jupiter and Saturn, contain mostly hydrogen and helium with other heavy elements making about 3 to 10 percent of its mass. The structure contains an outer layer of molecular hydrogen, over a layer of "metallic" hydrogen that can actually conduct electricity due to the immense pressure it's under.
Uranus and Neptune are considered a subclass of Gas Giants called "Ice Giants", because they are made up primarily by water, ammonia, and methane, along with a bit of hydrogen and helium in it's outer atmosphere. The hydrogen and the iced water, ammonia, and methane of these planets are what gives the Ice Giants their rich aquamarine and baby blue color.
Compare and contrast terrestrial and Jovian planets?
Terrestrial planets, like Earth and Mars, are small, rocky, and have solid surfaces. They have thin atmospheres and are closer to the sun. Jovian planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn, are gas giants with thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium. They are much larger, have no solid surfaces, and are farther away from the sun.
