Discovering the Lesser Known Facts about Planet Mercury
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and it is also the closest planet to the sun. It is named after the Roman messenger of the gods, Mercury. Although it is relatively easy to spot in the night sky, there are many interesting facts about this planet that are not commonly known. Let’s dive into the ten most fascinating facts about Planet Mercury –
1) Mercury Has a Peculiar Rotation
Mercury rotates on its axis once every 59 Earth days, but its orbit around the sun takes just 88 Earth days. This means that in one year on Mercury, there are only about 1.5 days. Mercury has a resonance like timing for its orbit which is 3:2. Meaning that when Mercury completes three rotations on its axis, it has completed two orbits around the sun.
2) Mercury is the Second Densest Planet
Although Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, it registers as the second densest planet. It is believed that this is due to its core which makes up about 42% of its total mass, unlike Earth where the core accounts for just 17% of its total mass.
3) It Has an Extremely Thin Atmosphere
Mercury’s atmosphere is virtually nonexistent. It is so thin that it is considered to be a “surface boundary exosphere.” The solar winds from the sun keep the atmosphere blown away, and it’s so thin it can barely register.
4) It Has Huge Craters
Mercury is pockmarked with craters, and many of them are huge. The largest crater on Mercury is called the Caloris Basin and is approximately 1,550km across. Compared to the Earth, this is an enormous crater – about the size of the state of Montana.
5) The Temperature Fluctuations are Extreme
Mercury’s temperature can change drastically depending on where you are on the planet. During the day on Mercury, temperatures can soar to over 800 degrees Fahrenheit, while at night they can drop to -290 degrees Fahrenheit.
6) Mercury is Not Visible From Earth All the Time
Mercury’s orbit is so close to the Sun that it can be difficult to see from Earth. It is visible for only a few weeks at a time, either just before sunrise or just after sunset, and you never see the entire planet.
7) Mercury is a Very Old Planet
Mercury is about 4.6 billion years old, which is roughly the same age as the solar system itself. It is thought that Mercury was created when a small, planet-sized object collided with the proto-Earth.
8) Mercury Has an Unsolved Magnetic Field Mystery
Unlike Earth and the other inner planets, Mercury has a magnetic field that is highly unusual. Its magnetic field is offset by about 20% of the planet’s radius, which is one of the largest magnetic fields compared to its size in our solar system. The reason behind this strange magnetic field is still unknown.
9) There is Water Ice on Mercury
Despite being so close to the sun, Mercury has areas that are thought to be permanently shadowed, and in these areas, scientists have discovered evidence of water ice. This surprising discovery of frozen water has opened new avenues for exploring the innermost planet of our solar system.
10) It’s a Rorschach Test
Due to the craters, ridges, and valleys visible on the surface of Mercury, at times, it can appear similar to the Rorschach inkblot test. The patterns on the surface of the planet have pleased many scientists, artists, and even non-experts.
Conclusion
Mercury is a small, rocky planet, yet the more we learn about it, the more we realize how much it has to offer. Scientists continue to study Mercury, and it remains a fascinating subject of study. Learning about this little-known planet reinforces just how vast and amazing our solar system is.
