Mercury Shenitha Mccargo

Deviation of Name 4 th century B.C.-Greek astronomers believed Mercury was two separate objects. Apollo- visible only at sunrise Hermes- visible only at sunset Our name Mercury came from the Romans after roman god Mercury

About Mercury Formed 4.5 billion years ago Closest to the Sun Second smallest planet in Solar System Diameter Km 57.8 million from the Sun No moons present

Discovery first spotted by great Italian astronomer, Galileo Galilei Giovanni Lupus discovered that it revolves around the Sun : Giovanni Schiaperelli mapped Mercury’s surface : Mariner 10 space probe sent to Mercury to gather data.

Atmosphere Oxygen- 56% Sodium 35% Helium-8% Potassium- 1% Hydrogen- 1% ( Even if there are some elements present, Mercury is constantly losing atoms as a result of high temperatures.)

Surface The core is made out of iron Core makes up 75% of planet’s diameter Surface looks much like the Moon, cratered and covered in fine soil.

Surface Temperature During the day, temperatures can reach to 467 Celsius Despite the fact that it’s closest planet to the sun, due to its slow rotation… At night, temperatures can be a startling negative 183 Celsius

Rotation First astronomers concluded that Mercury rotates in a period of 88 days : rotation period of 58.6 days Meaning: Planet’s spin and orbit locked in a repetitive 3:2 cycle

Color The sky mostly appears black, because of its slow rotation, that the sun shines on one side.

Observing Problems Ground-based telescopes: only be observe during day or before sunrise and after sunset. Hubble telescope can’t look directly at Mercury, in case solar rays damage its sensitive instruments.

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Mariner 10 Launched on November Arrived on March 1974 First space probe to successfully reach Mercury During its mission, received photographs of Mercury’s surface, atmosphere, and core.

Messenger Launched in 2004 Search for any evidence of water Composition of surface

BebiColumbo Expected to be launched into space by missions led by European Space Agency in 2009 Then again, they don’t know for certain

Humans on Mercury? Humans can’t survive on Mercury because… –Extreme temperatures –Living on Mercury for many years; results in heart failure due to poor circulation for the blood because of low gravity.

Used References Thomas, Chris. “SSS Planet Mercury.” : March 18, “Mercury Planet.” March 12, wikipedia foundation. March 18, “All About Planet Mercury.” Imaginova corp. March 18, 2008.<