The Smallest Planet in the Solar System The smallest planet in the Solar System is the planet Mercury. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun and was the second smallest planet after Pluto before being classified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This article will explain the physical characteristics, climate and exploration of the planet Mercury.
Mercury has a diameter of about 4,880 kilometers, which is only about 38% of the size of Earth. This makes it the smallest planet in the Solar System. Because of its small size, gravity on Mercury’s surface is only about 38% of that on Earth. This planet has a bumpy surface with many craters and cliffs. Several large craters on Mercury have the scientific names of famous figures such as Mozart and Beethoven.
Because it is very close to the Sun, temperatures on Mercury range from -180 degrees Celsius to 430 degrees Celsius. These extreme temperature changes are caused by Mercury’s long cycle, which lasts 88 days. On the side facing the Sun, the temperature can rise to 430 degrees Celsius, while on the side not facing the Sun, the temperature can drop to -180 degrees Celsius.
Apart from that, Mercury also has a very thin atmosphere. Mercury’s atmosphere consists of elements such as helium, hydrogen, and other elements. Due to this very thin atmosphere, the planet does not have enough protection from solar radiation. Therefore, temperatures during the day can be very high, while temperatures at night can be very low.
Mercury has been explored by several space missions, one of which is the Mariner 10 mission launched by NASA in 1973. This mission succeeded in collecting information about Mercury’s atmosphere, surface and magnetic field. Then, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the BepiColombo mission in 2018 to study this planet in more detail. This mission consists of two spacecraft that will arrive at Mercury in 2025.
Exploration of the planet Mercury is very important for understanding the origins of the Solar System and the geological processes that occurred on small planets like Mercury. Further research is expected to reveal mysteries about the planet, such as why it has such a large iron core and why its atmosphere is so thin.
Overall, Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System and is located closest to the Sun. Despite its small size, the planet has interesting physical characteristics and extreme temperature changes. Through existing and upcoming exploration missions, we can learn more about this planet and uncover the mysteries still hidden within it.
2023-10-25 09:32:33
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