Does space attracts you? You want to know facts about planets. Then you are at the right place. Here we have gathered some of the most interesting facts about mercury which you definitely going to love. Let’s start.

List of Interesting Facts about Mercury

Difficult to observe

By far the hardest planet to observe with a telescope is Mercury. It became very easy to understand this fact because Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.

Sun appears Twice Big

As we know Mercury is closest to the Sun. Therefore, sun appears twice big on the surface of mercury than it looks on Earth. Moreover, the planet doesn’t go far from sun’s vicinity.

Temperature Alteration

You will be amazed to know about the extreme temperature alternation on Mercury. In day temperature can reach up to 427 degree Celsius or 800 degree Fahrenheit. While the nights on Mercury are extremely cold where temperature can drop up to minus 180 degree Celsius or 290 Fahrenheit.

First Time Noticed by Astronomers

There are many assumptions about the first sight of planet. Some theories say that Mercury was noticed for the first time 2200 years ago. Some other say the planet was observed in 1613 for the very first time. So there are still confusions about it. However, Galileo Galilie and Thomas Harriot were the first to observe it with a telescope.

Where the name Mercury came from

Greeks worshiped Hermes god, who is known as the messenger of gods. Romans also worshiped Hermes but call him with the name Mercury.

Smallest Planet

The smallest planet in the solar system is Mercury. It is the one of the five planets that can be seen from Earth with naked eye. The planet is so small that even some moons in the solar system are bigger than it.

A year on Mercury

Being the smallest planet the number of days in a year is also small. One year on Mercury consists of 88 days. Hold on! Let me tell you that one solar day on Mercury is equal to how many Earth days. 176 days on Earth makes a single day on Mercury.

Still Larger than our Moon

Though Mercury is the smallest planet but still it is 40 percent larger than our moon.

Visits to Mercury

We have to admit that we have little information about this mysterious planet. So far only two missions have taken to the planet. One visit was taken in 1973 which is called Mariner 10 while the second is MESSENGER (2004).

You will Feel Lighter on Mercury

Whatever is your weight on Earth, it will become less than half in Mercury. If your weight on Earth is 68kg then your weight will be 27kg on Mercury.

Densest Planet

The densest planet in the solar system is Mercury only second to the Earth.

No Moon

Mercury is the planet with no moon. Means there are no natural satellites on Mercury.

No signs of Life

There are many factors which make it impossible for life to evolve there. One of them is high temperature.

Least Explored Planet

Mercury is the least explored planet in the solar system. Though it has proximity to Earth.

Fastest Orbiting Planet

Mercury orbits around the sun with a speed of 112,000 mph, which makes Mercury fastest orbiting planet in space. Mercury’s orbit is elliptical.

Visibility

The elliptical orbit of Mercury also affect its visibility from Earth. The visibility goes from clearly visible to completely disappear.

Distance from Sun

Nearest distance of Mercury to the sun is 29 million mi whereas the farthest distance to the sun is 49 million mi.

No Rings

Unlike some other planets of the solar system there are no rings around Mercury.

Atmosphere

Another interesting fact about Mercury is the planet has no atmosphere. In fact, the planet has an exosphere which is very thin and contains gases like potassium, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, and sodium.

Gravitation Force of Mercury   

The gravitational force on mercury is weaker than Earth. Because of its small size.

Why Mercury is the fastest orbiting planet?

 As you know the closest planet to the sun is mercury. So the pull of sun on it is way stronger than on other planets which make it the fastest orbiting planet.

Hottest Planet

When it comes to hotness we think Mercury is the hottest but the truth is Venus is the hottest planet. The reason is Venus has dense atmosphere which traps all the heat while opposite is the case with Mercury.

Core of Mercury

Mercury’s mantle is rocky while its core is mainly solid iron.

Hubble Space Telescope

Because of its closeness to the sun even Hubble space telescope can’t tell about the details of the planet. Light from the sun can damage its electronics.

No Weather

Huge number of craters on the planet are a proof that there is no persistent weather on planet. On Earth craters are removed due to wind, rain, volcanos.

Giant Asteroid

Scientist believed that about 400 million years ago a giant asteroid hit the planet due to which a crater of 960 miles created on the planet.