Think you know the planets? Let's take a quick trip to Mercury, the tiny speedster closest to our Sun! This Mercury fact file will give you a rapid rundown on this fascinating world.
* **Size Matters (or Doesn't!):** Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system – even smaller than some moons!
* **Speed Demon:** It zips around the Sun faster than any other planet, completing an orbit in just 88 Earth days. Talk about a quick year!
* **Extreme Temperatures:** Being so close to the Sun means Mercury experiences scorching temperatures during the day (up to 430°C) but plunges to bone-chilling lows at night (-180°C).
* **No Atmosphere to Speak Of:** Mercury has a very thin and unstable exosphere, so it can't trap heat like Earth's atmosphere. This contributes to its extreme temperature swings.
* **Surprisingly Dense:** Despite its small size, Mercury is incredibly dense, suggesting a large, iron-rich core.
So, next time you're stargazing (or just thinking about space), remember Mercury, the little planet with big surprises!
