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Surface of Mercury, artwork C016 / 6323
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Surface of Mercury, artwork C016 / 6323
Surface of Mercury. Artwork of the Sun (upper left) over rocky outcrops and craters on the surface of the planet Mercury. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, orbiting at an average distance of 58 million kilometres, less than half the Earth-Sun distance. The solar wind blasts atoms from its rocky surface, forming a thin atmosphere that is constantly lost to space. The surface temperature extremes are the greatest in the solar system, ranging from 400 to minus 170 degrees Celsius. Mercury takes 59 days to rotate on its axis, with the Sun rising every 176 Earth days, which is once every two Mercury years
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Media ID 9240035
© DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Airless Barren Bright Crater Cratered High Temperature High Temperatures Inner Solar System Lifeless Mercurian Mercury Mountain Mountains Outcrop Planetary Planetary Science Rock Rocky Solar System Solar Wind Sunlight Surface Extreme Conditions
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This artwork, titled "Surface of Mercury" offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the mysterious and extreme world of our closest planetary neighbor. The image showcases the rugged beauty of Mercury's barren landscape, with rocky outcrops and countless craters scattered across its surface. In the upper left corner, the radiant Sun casts its brilliant glow upon this desolate scene, illuminating every detail in vivid clarity. As the closest planet to our star, Mercury endures scorching temperatures that can reach a searing 400 degrees Celsius during daylight hours. However, when night falls on this airless world, temperatures plummet drastically to a bone-chilling minus 170 degrees Celsius. Mercury's thin atmosphere is constantly being stripped away by the solar wind—a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun—leaving behind an inhospitable environment devoid of life as we know it. Despite these harsh conditions, mountains rise majestically from its surface, testaments to ancient geological forces at play. With each rotation taking 59 Earth days and one sunrise occurring every 176 Earth days (equivalent to two Mercury years), time seems distorted on this enigmatic planet. This artwork serves as a reminder of both the awe-inspiring beauty and unforgiving nature found within our vast solar system—an eternal source of fascination for astronomers and dreamers alike.
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