MERCURY

Mercury has been known from the third millennium BC. Mercury was given three names, one from the Roman: Winged Messenger, and two from the Greeks: Apollo (u-poh-LO) and Hermes. (her-MEEZ)

Only the spacecraft Mariner 10 has been to Mercury. Only 45% of the planet was mapped, but it's too close to the sun to be safely mapped.

Mercury rotates three times for every two revolutions around the sun, so 3 days on Mercury are equal to two of its years! A day on Mercury is equal to 59 Earth days, so Mercury has very long days.
Mercury is the second densest planet after Earth. Earth's density is due to its gravity, otherwise Mercury would be the densest planet in the solar system. Mercury's interior is mostly of an iron core whose radius is 1,800 to 1,900 km. The outer shell is made of silicate. (a material of salt and metal) At least some of Mercury's core is melted.

One of Mercury's largest features, the Caloris Basin, is about 1300 km. in diameter.

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