MercuryMercury

Shenitha MccargoShenitha Mccargo

Deviation of NameDeviation of Name

• 4th century B.C.-Greek astronomers believed Mercury was two separate objects.

• Apollo- visible only at sunrise

• Hermes- visible only at sunset

• Our name Mercury came from the Romans after roman god Mercury

About MercuryAbout Mercury

• Formed 4.5 billion years ago

• Closest to the Sun

• Second smallest planet in Solar System

• Diameter- 4878 Km

• 57.8 million from the Sun

• No moons present

DiscoveryDiscovery

• 1610- first spotted by great Italian astronomer, Galileo Galilei

• 1939- Giovanni Lupus discovered that it revolves around the Sun

• 1881-1889: Giovanni Schiaperelli mapped Mercury’s surface.

• 1975-74: Mariner 10 space probe sent to Mercury to gather data.

AtmosphereAtmosphere

• Oxygen- 56%

• Sodium 35%

• Helium-8%

• Potassium- 1%

• Hydrogen- 1%

( Even if there are some elements present, Mercury is constantly losing atoms as a result of high temperatures.)

SurfaceSurface

• The core is made out of iron

• Core makes up 75% of planet’s diameter

• Surface looks much like the Moon, cratered and covered in fine soil.

Surface TemperatureSurface Temperature

• During the day, temperatures can reach to 467 Celsius

• Despite the fact that it’s closest planet to the sun, due to its slow rotation…

• At night, temperatures can be a startling negative 183 Celsius

RotationRotation

• First astronomers concluded that Mercury rotates in a period of 88 days.

• 1962-64: rotation period of 58.6 days

• Meaning: Planet’s spin and orbit locked in a repetitive 3:2 cycle

ColorColor

The sky mostly appears black, because of its slow rotation, that the sun shines on one side.

Observing ProblemsObserving Problems

• Ground-based telescopes: only be observe during day or before sunrise and after sunset.

• Hubble telescope can’t look directly at Mercury, in case solar rays damage its sensitive instruments.

Video

Mariner 10Mariner 10

• Launched on November 1973- Arrived on March 1974

• First space probe to successfully reach Mercury

• During its mission, received photographs of Mercury’s surface, atmosphere, and core.

MessengerMessenger

• Launched in 2004• Search for any

evidence of water • Composition of

surface

BebiColumboBebiColumbo

• Expected to be launched into space by missions led by European Space Agency in 2009

• Then again, they don’t know for certain

Humans on Mercury?Humans on Mercury?

• Humans can’t survive on Mercury because…– Extreme temperatures– Living on Mercury for

many years; results in heart failure due to poor circulation for the blood because of low gravity.

Used ReferencesUsed References

• Thomas, Chris. “SSS Planet Mercury.” : March 18, 2008. <http://www. solarspace. co.uk/Mercury. com>.

• “Mercury Planet.” March 12, 2008. wikipedia foundation. March 18, 2008. <http: en.wikipedia.org>.

• “All About Planet Mercury.” Imaginova corp. March 18, 2008.<www.space.ocm/mercury/.