All About Planet Mercury
The Smallest Planet in Our Solar System!
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What Is Mercury?
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest planet in our solar system. It’s even smaller than some moons! If Earth were the size of a baseball, Mercury would be like a golf ball.
How Hot (and Cold!) Is Mercury?
Because it’s so close to the Sun, Mercury can get really hot during the day — over 400°C! But guess what? At night, it gets super cold, dropping to -180°C. That’s colder than a freezer! Mercury doesn’t have much of an atmosphere, so it can’t trap heat like Earth does.
Does Mercury Have Moons?
Nope! Mercury doesn’t have any moons. It’s just a lonely little planet zooming around the Sun.
How Long Is a Day on Mercury?
Mercury spins slowly. One day on Mercury (sunrise to sunrise) is about 176 Earth days! That means if you could stand on Mercury, you’d see a sunrise only twice a year!
What Is Mercury Made Of?
Mercury is a rocky planet with a large metal core. It’s full of craters and looks a bit like our Moon. These craters were made by space rocks crashing into it long ago.
Can People Live on Mercury?
No, Mercury is way too hot, too cold, and doesn’t have air or water. But scientists love studying it to learn more about how planets are made.
Now you know all about Mercury, the tiny, speedy planet closest to the Sun! Isn’t it amazing how hot and cold it can get? Keep exploring the solar system—you never know what cool space secrets you’ll discover next!
