Planet The Solar System Astronomy Space
Mercury ☿
- Temperature ranges from 280-430Ëš on sunlit site
- We don't have a lot of data about Mercury
- So close to the Sun
- Heavily cratered
- Closest planet to the Sun
- Shorted period of revolution around the Sun (88 days)
- Similar to the Moon
- Smallest terrestrial planet
- Geologically dead
Composition
- Mantle and crust was probably stripped off by an impact in the early formation of the Solar System
- Composed of heavier materials
- Evident based on its density
Atmosphere/Exosphere
- No appreciable atmosphere
- Was too small and hot to retain its gas
- Has an exosphere
Magnetic Field
- Has a weak magnetic field
- Supports the presence of a large metal core
- Suggests part of the core must be liquid