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This is a close-up image of Mercury. Image from: NASA
Copyright 1995-1999, 2000 The Regents of the University of Michigan |
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Mercury
Mercury, the planet nearest the Sun, is the second smallest planet in the solar system. Only slightly larger than the Earth's moon, Mercury's surface is covered with craters. This tiny planet does not have any rings or moons. Temperatures on Mercury can reach over 800oF because Mercury is so close to the Sun and rotates so slowly.
STATS
Diameter: 4,878 km (3,030 miles)
Length of Day: 58.65 Earth days
Length of year: 88 Earth days
Minimum Distance from Sun: 45.9 million km (28.5 million miles)
Minimum Distance from Earth: 45 million km (28 million miles)
Temperature: -184o C to 427o C
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