mercury Flashcards
why is it hard to study this planet?
its too close to the sun and mer and the sun rise and set at almost the same time
is this an inferior planet?
yes 1/2
how does Mer orbit? what does it have in common w/ the moon?
it orbits with phases
what is the revolution like?
very eccentric and the most elliptical of any planet in our solar system
what is the orbit like?
the shortest in the solar system, very elliptical, UNIQUELY it orbits around the sun in different directions IT IS THE ONLY PLANET THAT DOES THIS
highest orbit speed
what is the rotation like?
spins every 3 times; 2 times around sun =
same side facing the sun
spins very slow but @ same speed
NO TILT
does it have an atmosphere?
very thin atomosphere composed of mostly O, sodium, H & small amounts of potassium
what is the surface like?
many impact craters due to meteor collisions b/c of weak atmosphere
what is caloris Basin?
HUGE crater located near hot longitudes
what is on the other side of caloris basin?
weird terrain probably from the collision of caloris basin
what is inbetween caloris basin and the weird terrain?
very flat area from volcanic activity
NO CURRENT VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
what is the inferior like?
similar density to E, iron core is 70% of mass
is there a magnetic field?
small MF, caused by molten iron core spinning
