As noted, Mercury has no atmosphere to speak of, owing to its small size and extremes in temperature. ... In any case, Mercury's lack of a viable atmosphere is the reason why it is unable to retain heat from the Sun, which leads to extreme variations between night and day for the rocky planet.
Why does Mercury have the greatest range of temperatures?
Because Mercury has very little tilt relative to its orbital motion , its seasons are based on the eccentricity of its orbit. In summer, when it is at its closest approach to the sun, the daytime temperature can reach 465 degrees Celsius (870 degrees Fahrenheit).
Why do temperatures on Mercury vary so much?
The change in temperature on the surface of Mercury is due to its rotation and lack of atmosphere . During the day the temperature is so high that it could melt some metals and during the night the temperature drops well bellow freezing.
Why are the temperatures so extreme between day and night on Mercury?
Temperatures on Mercury are extreme. During the day, temperatures on the surface can reach 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius). Because the planet has no atmosphere to retain that heat , nighttime temperatures on the surface can drop to minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 180 degrees Celsius).
What is Mercury's temperature during the night?
It is understood that the sunny side may reach temperatures of 750 to 800 degrees F., while the nighttime temperature plummets to nearly -330 degrees F. The average temperature on Mercury is a balmy 354 degrees F.
What is the temperature on the dark side of Mercury?
The average dark-side temperature is 111 degrees +/- 3 degrees K . The thermal inertia of the surface required to fit this temperature is close to that for the moon and indicates that Mercury and the moon have very similar top surface layers.
Which is the only planet that can sustain life?
Nonetheless, Earth is the only place in the Universe known to harbor life.
What is the hottest place on Earth?
Death Valley holds the record for the highest air temperature on the planet: On 10 July 1913, temperatures at the aptly named Furnace Creek area in the California desert reached a blistering 56.7°C (134.1°F).
Who is the hottest planet?
Venus is the exception, as its proximity to the Sun and dense atmosphere make it our solar system's hottest planet. The average temperatures of planets in our solar system are: Mercury – 800°F (430°C) during the day, -290°F (-180°C) at night. Venus – 880°F (471°C)
What is longer Mercury's solar day or year?
Mercury revolves around the sun very quickly, but rotates around its axis very, very slowly. One day on Mercury (sunrise to sunrise) is longer than one year on Mercury (one orbit around the Sun).
Why is Venus called Earth's sister?
Venus and Earth are often called twins because they are similar in size, mass, density, composition and gravity . ... Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. Although Venus is not the planet closest to the sun, its dense atmosphere traps heat in a runaway version of the greenhouse effect that warms Earth.
What is the temperature of Mercury's core?
The day side of the planet reaches temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degrees Celsius). In contrast, the chilly night side can get as cold as minus 290 F (minus 180 C). The planet has an average temperature of 332 F (167 C) .
What is the hottest temp on Mercury?
On its sunny side, Mercury can reach a scorching 800 degrees Fahrenheit ! (But Mercury is not the hottest planet in the solar system. The hottest planet is Venus.) On its dark side, Mercury gets very cold because it has almost no atmosphere to hold in heat and keep the surface warm.
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded on Mercury the planet?
On July 10, 1913, the mercury at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, spiked to 134 degrees Fahrenheit , according to the WMO. To this day, it is often cited as the highest temperature recorded on Earth, but is debated by some in the meteorological community.
What planet is closest to the sun?
Mercury . Mercury—the smallest planet in our solar system and closest to the Sun—is only slightly larger than Earth's Moon. Mercury is the fastest planet, zipping around the Sun every 88 Earth days.
Is Mercury hotter than Venus?
It is about the same size and made of the same rocky materials. It also comes closer to us than any other planet. ... The result is a “runaway greenhouse effect” that has caused the planet's temperature to soar to 465°C, hot enough to melt lead. This means that Venus is even hotter than Mercury .
