Download MERCURY

MERCURY
THE SMALLEST OF THE EIGHT PLANETS AND THE CLOSEST TO THE SUN..
ASTRONOMAL DATA
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Orbit and Rotation- Mercury circles the sun in only 88 days,
compared to 365 days here on Earth, at an average speed of
107,088 miles (172,341 km) per hour. This is faster then any other
planet in the Solar System.
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Distance from Sun- The minimum distance from the sun to Mercury is
28.5 million miles. The maximum distance is 43.5 million miles.
SURFACE DATA
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Gravity- Mercury has a very weak gravity and nearly no atmosphere
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Temperature- Although Mercury is the closest planet to the sun it’s
not actually the hottest planet. Mercury’s average temperature is
332 degrees Fahrenheit (167 degrees Celsius) The day side of the
planet reaches temperatures of up to 801 F (427 degrees C). The
colder night side can get as cold as minus 279 F (minus 173 C).
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Weather- Since Mercury has hardly any atmosphere, it doesn’t have
weather like storms, clouds, winds or rain.
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Composition- Mercury has a large iron core. Astronomers estimate
that the rest of Mercury is composed of heavy metals and sillicates
NEARBY OBJECTS
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Mercury has no moons.
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Mercury is near the Sun.
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There are not many objects
Near Mercury.
MISSION BADGE
This is Mercury’s
mission badge.
HUMAN SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATIONS
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The exploration of Mercury has taken only a minor role in the space
interests of the world. It is the least explored inner planet.
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As of 2014, the Mariner 10 and MESSENGER missions have been the
only missions that have made close observations of Mercury.
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Compared to other planets, Mercury is difficult to explore. The
increased speed required to reach it is relatively high, and due to
the proximity to the Sun, orbits around it are rather unstable.
MESSENGER is the first probe to orbit Mercury.
FUN FACTS
Mercury Is the second densest planet after Earth.
Mercury is only the second hottest planet after Venus
Only two spacecraft have ever visited Mercury
The surface of Mercury is very similar to our moon. It has a very barren,
rocky surface covered with many craters.
Half of Mercury had never been seen until 2008