Exploring Mercury: The Smallest Planet in the Solar System

Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, is the smallest in the solar system with a diameter of 4879 km. Despite its size, it is denser than Earth due to its rocky and metallic composition. Mercury has no moons and an orbit period of 88 days. Its surface is marked by craters from asteroid impacts. Discovered by Assyrian astronomers, it is visible to the naked eye. Only two spacecraft, Mariner 10 and Messenger, have visited Mercury due to its proximity to the sun, making travel challenging.

What is the diameter of Mercury in kilometers?

How long is Mercury's orbit period in days?

What are the temperature extremes on Mercury in degrees Celsius?

Who first discovered Mercury and in what century?

What spacecrafts have visited Mercury?