The Inner Planets: Mercury

The video explores Mercury's extreme temperature variations, being the planet with the greatest temperature range in the solar system. It is the second smallest planet, about one-third the size of Earth. In 1974, NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft provided the first close-up images of Mercury, revealing a heavily cratered surface with high cliffs and expansive plains. Mercury orbits the sun quickly, completing a revolution in 88 Earth days, but rotates slowly, taking 59 Earth days for a full rotation, resulting in long days and nights.

What is the greatest temperature range of any planet in the solar system?

How does Mercury's size compare to that of Earth?

What did the Mariner 10 spacecraft reveal about Mercury's surface?

How long does it take for Mercury to make a complete revolution around the sun?

Describe the rotation period of Mercury on its axis.