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You've Discovered the Bullis School Solar System! This website accompanies physical markers found on Bullis' campus. Click here to learn more!
Overview
Overview
Welcome to Mercury!
Welcome to Mercury!
The most extreme and unexplored planet in our solar system. Read through the pages to learn more about this mysterious planet.
The most extreme and unexplored planet in our solar system. Read through the pages to learn more about this mysterious planet.
Mercury is the closest planet from the Sun at 33.6 million miles away
Mercury is the closest planet from the Sun at 33.6 million miles away
Mercury is the smallest planet with just 2/5ths the size of Earth with a radius of 1516 miles
Mercury is the smallest planet with just 2/5ths the size of Earth with a radius of 1516 miles
Mercury is the least explored planet in the solar system
Mercury is the least explored planet in the solar system
Mercury has an 88 day orbit
Mercury has an 88 day orbit
1 day-night cycle (176 days) is longer than a year because of how fast Mercury orbits around the sun. The red arrow is the day night cycle and shows how one day is longer than a year. Additionally, Mercury has an axis tilt of just 2 degrees.
To human eyes, most of Mercury's surface would appear grayish-brown.
To human eyes, most of Mercury's surface would appear grayish-brown.
To human eyes, most of Mercury's surface will appear grayish-brown. The bright streaks are called "crater rays". They are formed when an asteroid or comet hits the surface. The tremendous energy released in such an impact digs a large hole in the surface and crushes a large amount of rock below the point of impact. Some of the crushed material is thrown away from the crater and then falls to the surface, forming rays. The fine particles of crushed rock reflect better than the larger debris, so the light appears brighter. Dust impacts and solar wind particles in space make the light dim over time.
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