Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, it’s the only planet which takes short period of time to orbit around the sun (only 87.97 days).
The name mercury was originated after the Roman god, ‘the messenger of God’. Like the second planet ‘Venus’, ‘Mercury’ orbits the sun. The apparent distance of mercury has not changed or exceeded 28 degrees from the sun, whenever viewed from earth. Due to this phenomena planet can be seen near the western horizon post-sunset or in eastern horizon pre-sunrise. It appears like a bright star like our moon which makes it difficult to figure out the current position.
We have all learned in our childhood and Schools about the Planet in our solar system that Mercury stands out to be the first planet near the Sun (Star). Also, the distance from Mercury to Sun is so close to the sun that the temperature/heat could burn anything if anybody tries to stay on that planet. It is also said that Mercury is the hottest planet that has a very thin layer of atmosphere.
During the day temperature on Mercury is around 700 Kelvin (427 degrees 800 degrees Fahrenheit) at its equatorial location. Rotation of Mercury is very slow and the other side of it remains cold (-173 degree/280 degree Fahrenheit). This kind of low temperature is far colder than any other naturally occurring temperature/Climate change on Earth.
Mercury spends 100 consecutive earth days facing the Sun and similarly the other side in the dark. Mercury turns out to be similar to our Moon at 0.119. It is also known according to researchers that it is a rocky planet and has a thin atmosphere.
Most of the Mercury’s surface would appear greyish brown through our naked eye. Due to the extreme temperature fluctuation, Mercury is not the right choice of planet where people would try to settle life, but not impossible.
Mercury’s exosphere is composed of oxygen, sodium, hydrogen, helium, and potassium. According to Mariner’s observation estimates 42 percent of oxygen made the planet’s atmosphere as compared to Earth which consists of only 21 percent of oxygen.
With such a high level of oxygen content on that planet, life-sustaining shouldn’t be an issue, but due to the extreme weather condition and solar winds from the sun it makes difficult to sustain, colonizing on Mercury would be a tough choice for people.
The South Pole and the North Pole are always cold. Also, the Earth’s magnetic field helps us to protect from the Sun’s charged particle as compared to Mercury’s magnetic field which is too weak. So sustaining life on Mercury might be difficult but not impossible.
Furthermore, Mercury is also prone to get hit by a comet. Lastly, the radiation is also strong when it is in the middle of the sun while orbiting. Mercury lacks the required atmosphere.
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