Why there is temperature variation on Mercury?

However, Mercury has the least circular, most eccentric orbit of all the planets. The huge range in its distance from the sun means that the planet does feel some variation in temperature based on where it travels over the course of its 88 Earth-day year.

What is odd about the temperature on Mercury?

Most Extreme Temperature Fluctuations in the Solar System Even though Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, its surface can still be extremely cold. The temperature during the day can reach 840 degrees Fahrenheit (450 degrees Celsius), but at night, temperatures can get as low as minus 275 F (minus 170 C).

Why is Mercury hot but not too hot for ice?

It’s all in the chemistry These water molecules free float through the planet. Some are broken down by the extreme sunlight or evaporate into the atmosphere. Because Mercury has no atmosphere, the planet itself generates no heat. Shielded from the Sun’s fierce rays, these hidden water molecules turn to glacial ice.

Is Mercury tidally locked?

Surface temp. Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System and the closest to the Sun. It is tidally locked with the Sun in a 3:2 spin–orbit resonance, meaning that relative to the fixed stars, it rotates on its axis exactly three times for every two revolutions it makes around the Sun.

Why Mercury is not the hottest planet in the solar system?

Because it is so close to the sun, it can be very hot. On its sunny side, Mercury can reach a scorching 800 degrees Fahrenheit! (But Mercury is not the hottest planet in the solar system. On its dark side, Mercury gets very cold because it has almost no atmosphere to hold in heat and keep the surface warm.

What are the temperatures like on Mercury?

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 Mercury at the poles?

Mercury is hot. Temperatures top 440 degrees Fahrenheit even in areas (red) of its north pole. Yet some spots (blue) stay below -200 degrees.

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.

Why Mercury is not the hottest planet in our solar system?

How cold does it get on Mercury without an atmosphere?

Without an atmosphere to retain that heat at night, temperatures can dip as low as -290°F (-180°C). Despite its proximity to the Sun, Mercury is not the hottest planet in our solar system – that title belongs to nearby Venus, thanks to its dense atmosphere.

Is there ice on Mercury’s Poles?

Recent observations by MESSENGER of ice at Mercury’s poles is described in a November 29, 2012 press release. Mercury would seem to be one of the least likely places in the solar system to find ice. The closest planet to the Sun has temperatures which can reach over 700 K.

What is the maximum temperature on Mercury?

As mentioned above, all provinces on Mercury are exposed to the Sun for almost 90 earth-days at a time, and can reach temperatures over 700 K. Additionally, Mercury has no ambient atmosphere and very low gravity.

Why does the night side of mercury get cold at night?

Because Mercury has no medium for heat to spread in, its nights get frigid. All the heat that is transferred to the night side is rapidly lost from infared radiation. Also because Mercury’s day/night cycle are very long, giving the night side a lot of time to cool down.

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