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Mercury is the eighth largest planet (or second smallest) in the Solar
System.
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Mercury is a heavily cratered planet, composed of rock with a central
iron core that is three-quarters of the diameter of the planet (3,600
km). Following the Earth, Mercury is the second densest planet in the
Solar System.
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Covered with thousands of craters, the surface of Mercury closley
resembles the Earth's Moon. Mercury has few non-cratered areas on the
surface, with the exception of the large flat area known as the Caloris
Basin, and a few other small areas. The Caloris Basin, the result of an
asteroid impact, is 1300 km in diameter.
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The surface temperature of Mercury is characterized by major
fluctuations. The daytime side of the planet reaches over 400 degrees C
(752 degrees F), but on the night side the temperature falls to -170
degrees C (-274 degrees F).
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Mercury has no atmosphere and no known satellites.
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The only visit to Mercury was made by the Mariner 10 spacecraft in
1974.
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Mercury was believed by the Greeks to be two different stars. Mercury's
appearance in the morning was called Apollo, and its evening appearance
was referred to as Hermes.
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Mercury, often identified with the Greek god, Hermes, is the messenger
of the gods in Roman mythology. Mercury is often characterized with
winged sandals.
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