1. Mercury is nearly tidally locked to the Sun – also known as a gravitational lock – and over time this has slowed the rotation of the planet to almost match its orbit around the Sun. This means it is very compact. Facts about Mercury. Here are 15 interesting facts about planet Mercury. "While a typical vibrato will fluctuate between 5.4 Hz … It's also the nearest planet to the Earth. It is challenging to travel between Earth and Mercury not only because the closest distance between the two planets is over 48 million mi, but also due to the immense temperature from the Sun. It travels about 112,000 mph (180,000 km/h) along its elliptical orbit. The elliptical orbit also influences its visibility from Earth, as it can move between clear visibility or not be visible at all. Amazing facts about Mercury. So here are 14 interesting facts about Mercury that might leave you surprised. Mercury is only the second hottest planet .Despite being further from the Sun, Venus experiences higher temperatures. Despite being so small, Mercury is the second-densest planet in the Solar System after Earth. Mercury Crater Facts: Interesting Facts About the Planets Craters Unlike many other planets that “self-heal” through natural geological processes, the surface of Mercury is covered in craters. More Interesting Facts about Mercury. January 2, 2015 Peter Christoforou Astronomy Lists, Solar System 0. Mercury does not have any moons or rings. For every two orbits of the Sun, Mercury completes three rotations about its axis and up until 1965 it was thought that the same side of Mercury constantly faced the Sun. Mercury. Cinnabar or vermillion was used by Paleolithic painters to decorate caves in Spain and France 30,000 years ago, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. A day on the surface of Mercury lasts 176 Earth days. His speed is why Mercury got its name, as it is the fastest planet that orbits the sun. However, this ice is located within permanently shadowed craters that do not receive sunlight throughout the year. Planet Mercury, the innermost planet in the solar system and the eighth. Mercury is so close to the sun, it is hard to directly observe it from Earth except during dawn or twilight. Mercury is the closest planet to our Sun and is the smallest planet in our solar system. In our solar system of planets the 5 closets planets to the Sun are made largely of rocky material. Most are small craters, while a few are more than 50 mi wide. Mercury is the second hottest planet in the solar system, reaching up to 800 degrees. Mercury’s orbit around the sun is the fastest orbit of all the solar system planets. Mercury has been known to humanity since ancient times and although its discovery date is unknown, the first mentions of the planet are believed to be around 3000 BC by the Sumerians. The orbit of Mercury is elliptical in shape. The orbital speed of Mercury is 47.8 km/sec (29.7 miles/sec). Mercury is 4,878 km wide, making it only slightly bigger than our own moon. 10 Interesting Facts About The Planet Mercury. … In Greek mythology, this messenger is known as Hermes. The exact date of Mercury’s discovery is unknown as pre-dates its 1st historical mention, one among the 1st mentions being by the Sumerians around in 3,000 BC. Moons offer a better understanding of the formation of planets, and the lack of a moon leaves certain questions unanswered. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. The planet gets as close as 29 million miles (47 million km) to … Facts about Mercury: Mercury may be the closest planet to the sun but it experiences temperature changes that are the most extreme of any planet in the solar system, including dropping to -275 F/-170 C. Mercury is only slightly larger than the Earth’s moon. Mercury has a fragile atmosphere known as an exosphere. In Greek mythology, Mercury — the messenger of the Roman gods — was called Hermes. By Victor Kiprop on November 24 2019 in Environment. It is the smallest and closest planet to the Sun in the Solar System. Current astronomers believe that the darker skies of the past made it possible for ancient astronomers to see Mercury. This figure was renowned for his swift movement and winged shoes. In 2018, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the joint. 1. Here are 20 kickass and interesting facts about Freddie Mercury. Even some gas giant moons are larger than it, such as Titan and Ganymede. Organic materials, which are the building blocks of life, have also been discovered, but the harsh conditions on Mercury cannot support life as it exists on Earth. Mercury travels around the sun at a speed of 180,000 kilometers per hour or 112,000 miles per hour. [1] Mercury cannot be seen by the naked eye when the sky is fully dark. It is also one of five planets visible by the naked eye, along with Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. Mercury tends to play peekaboo with the Sun, which makes it somewhat of an observing challenge. It is also one of five planets visible by the naked eye, along with Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. Mercury was the primary means of treatment for syphilis until the early 20th century. Top 10 interesting facts about mercury Mercury is the most cratered planet Looks life mercury likes to pick up fights with asteroids and meteors from time to time. Researchers believe that the core is made up of lighter materials that have lower melting points, such as sulfur. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. comments. Its orbit is immensely elliptical, as its distance from the Sun varies between 29 million mi and 43 million mi. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest since Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet. Interesting Facts About Mercury: 21-25. [1] mission that is expected to reach the orbit of Mercury in December 2025. Mercury orbits the sun in 88 days, which means 1 Earth year on Mercury is 88 days. However, after the ouster of Pluto from the category of Planets, Mercury has occupied the position of the smallest planet in our Solar System. 10 Interesting Facts About Mercury. Mercury and Venus are the only two planets in the Solar System without either a moon or ring. 10 Interesting Facts About The Great Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury was a British singer, songwriter and record producer, most famously known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen . 1. Facts About Mercury Mercury is known as for the Roman messenger to the gods. Five amazing facts about Project Mercury. These are caused by numerous encounters with asteroids and comets. Mercury is even smaller than some moons in the solar system. Alchemists used to believe that mercury could be turned into gold when combined with other metals. Surprisingly, given its proximity to the hot Sun, Mercury contains water ice. There is water ice on Mercury. 3. Mercury can also get as low as -270 degrees at its night. It is found in craters near its poles, where sunlight never reaches. While an average person only knows Mercury as the smallest planet, there are pretty interesting facts about this little planet you probably didn’t know. Mercury and the Sun are nearly in a tidal lock, which has slowed the planet's rotation. half-day is equal to one year in Mercury. The Ultimate List of TV Shows set in Space or on Other Planets, The Planets and Moons of Star Wars to Scale. When Mercury orbits the Sun, it does it in more of an ellipse (oval) shape, rather than a sphere. Mercury: the Smallest Planet! It is named after the ancient Roman god of trade and profit. The planet rises or … Mercury revolves around the Sun at 112,000 mph, which is the fastest of all planets. The side of Mercury that faces the Sun experiences temperatures of approximately 427 °C, while the alternate side can be as cold as -173 °C. This is one of the coolest facts about Mercury. 3. 2. Your weight on Mercury would be 38% of your weight on Earth. Mercury completes one complete revolution around our Sun in 88 days (days as on Earth and are referred to as Earth days). Interesting facts about Mercury Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and due to its proximity it is not easily seen except during twilight. Freddie Mercury's … 2. Mercury gets its name from the Roman god of commerce, travel and industry. They don't form a stable atmosphere. Despite the fact that Mercury has been observed my humans for over 2000 years, little is known Mercury is hard to spot in the sky, but has been known for millennia. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and due to its proximity it is not easily seen except during twilight. Mercury zips around the sun faster than any other planet. Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System. In 2018, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the joint BepiColombomission that is expected to reach the orbit of Mercury in December 2025. Only two probes have reached Mercury: NASA's Mariner 10in 1974-75 and NASA's MESSENGER in 2004. Here’s some cool and fun facts about the planet Mercury. Alan Shepard should have been the first man in space. Despite Mercury being the closest planet to the Sun, Venus is the warmest planet. Only two probes have reached Mercury: NASA's, in 2004. 21. Earlier, Pluto held the record for being the smallest planet in the Solar System. In the time it takes Pluto to go around the Sun once, 1028 years have passed on Mercury! Freddie Mercury Facts. Mercury plays peekaboo with the Sun, as the planet rises and sets close to when the Sun does, which can make it challenging to see it in the sky. Tragically, Freddie passed away aged just 45 with the cause of death being bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. Wow! The smallest of these is Mercury, and it also happens to be the planet in closest orbit to the sun. A year in Mercury is 88 days, yet a Mercury day is 176 Earth days. Venus has an average temperature of 427 °C, as its dense atmosphere circulates heat evenly throughout the planet. It only appears at dusk and dawn. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest since Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet. Mercury takes it’s name from the Roman messenger of the Gods. 1. The cores of smaller planets cool and solidify rapidly, but extensive research concludes that this is not the case for Mercury. Nevertheless, researchers do not expect life to exist on the planet due to its unconducive environment. 2. Despite its proximity to Earth, Mercury is among the least explored planets due to its proximity to the Sun. This makes Mercury the fastest planet in entire Solar System. The only other liquid element under standard conditions is bromine (a halogen ), although the metals rubidium, cesium, and gallium melt at a temperature just above room temperature. Ironically, the planet's existence was documented by ancient astronomers before the discovery of Venus and Mars. Recent studies show that Mercury indeed has a molten core, which is contrary to the solid iron core theory proposed throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries. The largest crater is the Caloris Basin, which has a diameter of 963 mi. Mercury’s diameter is only 4,876 kilometers, i.e., just about the size of the United States. Research shows that a 100 km wide asteroid hit mercury 4 billion years ago that created a 1545 km giant crater on it. It takes Mercury 176 Earth days to complete a rotation around its axis and 88 days to complete a revolution around the Sun, meaning that a day is longer than its year. 1-5 Kickass and Interesting Facts about Freddie Mercury 1. Mercury is the smallest planet of the Solar System. 2. by Jonathan O'Callaghan, 30 April 2013 Find out who the first astronaut in the USA’s inaugural spaceflight programme really was, and more, right here. It’s not known who discovered Mercury. Mercury may be the closest planet to the Sun, but it is not as hot as Venus. The concentration of sulfur on Mercury is unlike any other planet in the Solar System. But, interesting facts about Mercury are the difference between one sunrise and one sunset is 176 days, i.e. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com, Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest since, Mercury and Venus are the only two planets in the Solar System, Mercury may be the closest planet to the Sun, but it is, Mercury Has Organic Material and Water Ice, It is challenging to travel between Earth and Mercury not only because the closest distance between the two planets is over 48 million mi, but also due to the immense temperature from the Sun. 50 interesting facts about Mercury. While other planets "self-heal" after collisions with comets and asteroids, Mercury does not, which has led to numerous craters on the planet's surface. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun as well as the smallest planet in our solar system, in terms of both mass and volume. Mercury has a light atmosphere that allows heat to escape, unlike Venus, which has a dense atmosphere that traps the heat. Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946 to Parsi parents in what is now the city of Zanzibar in Tanzania, back when it was still a British territory. Research shows that the concentration of magnesium, sodium, and calcium in Mercury’s atmosphere fluctuates depending on its distance from the Sun. But it does have a tenuous atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium and potassium around it. A year on Mercury takes 88 Earth days. However, Mercury takes 58.65 days to complete a round around its own axis. Although there is no conclusive evidence regarding why this occurs, astronomers link it to solar radiation pressure. It was used in the form of pills, calomel, ointments and steam baths. 22. 1: Associated With All Things Fast. Astronomers believe that in the past, both planets had moons, but that the Sun’s immense gravity pulled them away. It is unable to retain heat, which is why the dark side of the planet is frigid. Additionally, Mercury has the greatest orbital eccentricity, ranging from 29 million mi to 43 million mi. Thirteen times a century Mercury can be observed from the Earth passing across the face of the Sun in an event called a transit, the next will occur on the 9th May 2016. Mercury is so small that it has too little gravity to hold an atmosphere like Earth or Venus. Mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Among the many facts they concluded was that Mercury's vocal cords moved faster than the average person's. Image Source:- sciencemag. The closeness to the Sun and its smallness make it the most mysterious of planets that are apparent to the eye without support. 35 Impressive Facts About the Planet Mercury Mercury is the smallest of all the planets in the solar system. It is grey in color, and has no atmosphere on its very hot … Mercury is the smallest planet. 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