What are the differences between the Moon and Mercury?
After all, the two bodies have significant differences: unlike the moon, Mercury has a global magnetic field; its density is higher; there is an abundance of volatile elements such as sulfur; its surface contains much less iron, particularly in its crustal silicates — which indicates that the processes deep inside both …
What does Mercury have that the moon doesn t?
It’s a little bigger than Earth’s Moon. Along with Venus, Earth, and Mars, Mercury is one of the rocky planets. It has a solid surface that is covered with craters like our Moon. It has a thin atmosphere, and it doesn’t have any moons.
In what way does the surface of Mercury different from the moon’s surface?
In general, the surface of Mercury is similar to the Moon (i.e. heavily cratered due to a lack of a heavy atmosphere to erode away primordial impacts). However, there are some key differences: 1) There are few maria on Mercury and they are small. No large impact era like the Moon.
What makes Mercury unique?
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and is also the smallest of the eight planets in our solar system. It is gravitationally locked and this rotation is unique to the solar system. Every seven years or so, Mercury can be seen from Earth passing across the face of the Sun.
Why is there no life on the moon?
The Moon’s weak atmosphere and its lack of liquid water cannot support life as we know it.
Do we have 2 moons?
The earth has picked up a second moon. It’s not very big. In fact it’s almost impossible to see. Astronomer Kacper Wierzchos says it’s an asteroid that’s roughly 9 feet in diameter that got captured by the earth’s gravity about 3 years ago.
Why is there no weather or wind in Mercury?
Due to the tenuous atmosphere, Mercury really has no weather to speak of other than wild fluctuations in temperature. Therefore Mercury’s very long solar day, close proximity to the Sun and very thin atmosphere, all combine to produce the largest diurnal temperature spread in our solar system.
What are 5 facts about Mercury?
It’s not known who discovered Mercury.
- A year on Mercury is just 88 days long.
- Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System.
- Mercury is the second densest planet.
- Mercury has wrinkles.
- Mercury has a molten core.
- Mercury is only the second hottest planet.
- Mercury is the most cratered planet in the Solar System.