MERCURY AND VENUS HOME

 Mercury

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, and rushes around it every 88 days. It takes about two-thirds of that time just to spin around once on its axis. Due to its long day and short year, sunrises on Mercury occur 176 days apart. Temperatures on Mercury can soar to 430° C and can drop to –180° C. Mercury is 4879 km in diameter, and is 58 million km from the Sun.

At a constant temperature of 460° C (day and night), Venus is the hottest planet in the Solar System. Venus suffers from the greenhouse effect gone crazy. A thick layer of carbon dioxide traps solar energy and heats up Venus in the same way a blanket keeps you warm at night. What’s even worse, is that acid rain falls from its clouds of sulphuric acid. Venus is 12104 km in diameter, and is 108 million km from the Sun.

• One impact feature on Mercury – Caloris Basin – is so big that it would stretch half way across Australia.
• Venus spins backwards compared to all the other planets except Uranus. Perhaps a giant asteroid hit Venus and flipped it upside down.