Mercury Flashcards
What is the average distance of Mercury from the Sun?
About 57.9 million kilometers (35.98 million miles)
Mercury is the innermost planet in our solar system.
Which planet is the smallest in the solar system?
Mercury
Mercury has a diameter of about 4,880 kilometers (3,032 miles).
What are the surface temperature extremes on Mercury?
Day: 427°C (800°F), Night: -173°C (-280°F)
These temperatures vary significantly due to its lack of atmosphere.
Does Mercury have a true atmosphere?
No, it has an extremely thin exosphere
The exosphere is composed mainly of oxygen, sodium, and hydrogen.
How long does it take Mercury to complete one orbit around the Sun?
88 Earth days
This is the shortest year of all the planets in the solar system.
How long is one rotation (day) on Mercury?
59 Earth days
This slow rotation is a characteristic of Mercury.
What is unique about Mercury’s day-night cycle?
A day lasts 176 Earth days
This is due to its orbital resonance.
What type of orbit does Mercury have?
Highly elliptical orbit
This causes its distance from the Sun to vary significantly.
How many moons does Mercury have?
None
Mercury has no natural satellites or rings.
What percentage of Mercury’s radius is made up of its core?
About 85%
This makes Mercury the most iron-rich planet by proportion in the solar system.
How strong is Mercury’s magnetic field compared to Earth’s?
About 1% as strong
This magnetic field is likely generated by its partially molten core.
What does Mercury’s surface resemble?
The Moon
It has numerous craters formed by asteroid impacts.
What is the diameter of the Caloris Basin?
About 1,550 kilometers (960 miles)
It is one of the largest impact craters in the solar system.
What are scarps on Mercury?
Large cliffs formed as the planet cooled and contracted
These geological features are significant in studying Mercury’s history.
Does Mercury experience weather patterns?
No
The lack of atmosphere means there are no wind or rain patterns.
