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About Mercury
About Mercury
Mercury was named after the Roman god Mercury, who was the messenger of the gods, known for his speed and agility. The planet was given this name because it moves across the sky faster than any other planet in the solar system.
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest planet in our solar system. It has no atmosphere to retain heat, making its temperatures extremely varied—scorching hot during the day and freezing cold at night.
Distance of Mercury from the sun - Mercury orbits the Sun at an average distance of 57.9 million km (36 million miles), which is about 0.39 AU (Astronomical Units) - (1 AU = Distance from Earth to Sun)
Earth size comparison - Mercury is much smaller than Earth, only about 38% of Earth’s size. If Earth were a basketball, Mercury would be a grapefruit.
Five Facts About Mercury
Five Facts About Mercury
Fastest Orbit – Mercury is the fastest planet, completing one orbit around the Sun in just 88 Earth days.
Extreme Temperatures – Temperatures range from 430°C (800°F) during the day to -180°C (-290°F) at night because it lacks an atmosphere to trap heat.
Long Days – One day on Mercury (from one sunrise to the next) takes 176 Earth days due to its slow rotation and fast orbit.
Surface Similar to the Moon – Mercury is covered in craters from asteroid impacts, giving it a rough, rocky appearance.
No Moons or Rings – Unlike many planets, Mercury has no moons or rings because its small size and weak gravity make it hard to hold onto any.
Click on any of the names below to learn more about other planets in our solar system.
Mercury | Venus | Earth | Mars | Jupiter | Saturn | Uranus | Neptune | Dwarf Planet Pluto
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