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Mercury is the first planet from the Sun and the smallest in the Solar System.In English, it is named after the ancient Roman god Mercurius (), god of commerce and communication, and the messenger of the gods.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Mercury: . Mercury – smallest and innermost planet in the Solar System.Its orbital period (about 88 Earth days) is less than any other planet in the Solar System.
The surface of the planet Mercury has been divided into fifteen quadrangles, designated H-1 to H-15 (the 'H' stands for Hermes, the Greek equivalent of Mercury). [1] The quadrangles are named for prominent surface features visible within each area. [1]
After the encounter Mariner 10 was in an orbit around the Sun such that for every one of its orbits Mercury made two, and the spacecraft and the planet would be able to meet again. This allowed the probe to pass by Mercury two additional times before completing the mission; these encounters were made on September 21, 1974, and March 16, 1975.
Mercury's magnetic field is approximately a magnetic dipole, apparently global, [8] on the planet of Mercury. [9] Data from Mariner 10 led to its discovery in 1974; the spacecraft measured the field's strength as 1.1% that of Earth's magnetic field. [10] The origin of the magnetic field can be explained by dynamo theory. [11]
Mercury, being the closest to the Sun, with a weak magnetic field and the smallest mass of the recognized terrestrial planets, has a very tenuous and highly variable atmosphere (surface-bound exosphere) containing hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium, potassium and water vapor, with a combined pressure level of about 10 −14 bar (1 nPa). [2]
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Caloris Planitia / k ə ˈ l ɔːr ɪ s p l ə ˈ n ɪ ʃ (i) ə / is a plain within a large impact basin on Mercury, informally named Caloris, about 1,550 km (960 mi) in diameter. [1] It is one of the largest impact basins in the Solar System.