Mercury Planet Guide

Discover Mercury, the smallest and fastest planet in our solar system. Named after the Roman messenger god, Mercury is a world of extremes - scorching days, freezing nights, and the fastest orbit around the Sun.

88 Days
Orbital Period
36M Miles
From Sun
800°F
Max Temperature

Essential Mercury Facts

Distance
Closest to the Sun

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun at an average distance of 36 million miles (58 million km)

Speed
Fastest Planet

Mercury completes its orbit around the Sun in just 88 Earth days, making it the fastest planet

Temperature
Extreme Temperatures

Surface temperatures range from -300°F (-184°C) to 800°F (427°C) due to lack of atmosphere

Rotation
Slow Rotation

One Mercury day equals 176 Earth days - longer than its year of 88 Earth days

Size
Smallest Planet

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, only slightly larger than Earth's Moon

Visibility
Visible to Naked Eye

Mercury is visible from Earth without a telescope, best seen during greatest elongation

Mercury Physical Properties

Size & Mass

Diameter:3,032 miles (4,879 km)
Mass:3.3011 × 10²³ kg
Volume:6.083 × 10¹⁰ km³
Surface Gravity:3.7 m/s² (38% of Earth)

Orbital Characteristics

Orbital Period:87.97 Earth days
Rotation Period:58.65 Earth days
Orbital Velocity:47.87 km/s
Eccentricity:0.2056 (most elliptical)

Mercury in Mythology & Culture

Roman Mythology

Named after Mercury, the Roman messenger god known for speed and communication

Symbolism: Speed, communication, commerce, travel

Greek Mythology

Known as Hermes in Greek mythology, messenger of the gods and guide to the underworld

Symbolism: Messages, boundaries, transitions

Egyptian Mythology

Associated with Thoth, god of wisdom, writing, and the moon

Symbolism: Wisdom, knowledge, writing

Babylonian Mythology

Called Nabu, god of literacy, rationality, and wisdom

Symbolism: Intelligence, writing, prophecy

How to Observe Mercury

Best Viewing Times

Mercury is best observed during greatest elongation, occurring about 6 times per year

Equipment Needed

Visible to naked eye, but binoculars or small telescope enhance the viewing experience

Viewing Conditions

Look for Mercury shortly after sunset or before sunrise when it's furthest from the Sun

Safety Warning

Never attempt to observe Mercury when it's close to the Sun - permanent eye damage may occur

Mercury in Astrology

Mercury's Astrological Significance

In astrology, Mercury governs communication, intellect, travel, and technology. Known as the messenger planet, Mercury influences how we think, learn, and express ourselves.

Communication

How we express ideas, speak, and connect with others

Intelligence

Learning, reasoning, and mental processing abilities

Travel & Commerce

Movement, trade, and connections between people

Mercury in Modern Science

Space Exploration

  • • Mariner 10 (1974-1975): First spacecraft to visit Mercury
  • • MESSENGER (2004-2015): Orbited Mercury for 4 years
  • • BepiColombo (2018-2025): Current ESA/JAXA mission to Mercury
  • • Future missions planned to study Mercury's composition

Scientific Discoveries

  • • Water ice found in polar craters
  • • Magnetic field discovery
  • • Core composition studies
  • • Surface composition mapping

Related Mercury Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Mercury so hard to observe?

Mercury is always close to the Sun in our sky, making it difficult to see. It's only visible during brief periods at dawn or dusk when it's at its greatest elongation from the Sun.

Does Mercury have seasons?

Mercury has virtually no axial tilt (only 0.034°), so it doesn't experience seasons like Earth. However, its highly elliptical orbit causes significant temperature variations.

Could humans ever visit Mercury?

A human mission to Mercury would be extremely challenging due to intense radiation, extreme temperatures, and the massive energy required to reach and orbit Mercury.

What causes Mercury retrograde?

Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion caused by Earth "overtaking" Mercury in its orbit, making Mercury appear to move backward against the background stars.

✨ Welcome to Mercury 91

Your Cosmic Social Network Named After Mercury

Experience the power of Mercury's communication energy in a digital space designed for cosmic consciousness. Join thousands of space enthusiasts exploring dreams, meditation, and celestial connections.

Mercury-Inspired Features

Harness Mercury's communication energy through cosmic journaling, dream sharing, and celestial meditation experiences.

Cosmic Community

Connect with fellow space enthusiasts, astrology lovers, and cosmic consciousness seekers in our Mercury-powered network.

Mercury Retrograde Tools

Navigate Mercury retrograde periods with our specialized tools, calendars, and survival guides designed for cosmic awareness.

Why Mercury 91? Mercury governs communication, technology, and travel - the perfect planetary energy for a cosmic social network.

Join the cosmic social network inspired by Mercury, the messenger planet

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