Mercury is the smallest and closest planet to the Sun in our solar system. It lacks a significant atmosphere and experiences extreme temperature variations.
- Closest to Sun: First planet in the solar system, nearest to the Sun.
- Extreme Temperatures: Drastic temperature differences between days and nights.
- No Atmosphere: Virtually no atmosphere, leading to extreme temperature variations.
- Rocky Surface: Covered in craters, cliffs, and rocky terrain.
- Fast Orbit: Orbits the Sun in just 88 Earth days.
- Slow Rotation: Rotates slowly, with one day equaling 59 Earth days.
- Minimal Gravity: Gravity is only about 38% of Earth’s.
- No Liquid Water: Water would vaporize due to the lack of atmosphere.
- Extensive Cratering: Heavily bombarded by meteorites and comets.
- Mercury Messenger: Studied by NASA’s Messenger spacecraft, which orbited the planet.
