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Surface of Mercury
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Surface of Mercury
Surface of Mercury. Computer artwork of an asteroid impact crater on the surface of the planet Mercury. The Sun (upper right) and Earth (blue, left of Sun) are seen in the sky. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, orbiting at an average distance of 58 million kilometres, less than half the Earth-Sun distance. The solar wind blasts atoms from its rocky surface, forming a very thin atmosphere that is constantly lost to space. The surface temperature extremes are the greatest in the solar system, ranging (day-night) from 400 to -170 degrees Celsius. The Sun rises every 176 days (two Mercury years), but the stars move three times faster across the sky as Mercury takes 59 days to rotate on its axis
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6426201
© CHRIS BUTLER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Crater Cratered Impact Crater Mercury Panoramic Planetary Planetary Science Rocky Solar System Surface Computer Artwork
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This stunning print captures the rugged and cratered surface of Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. In this computer artwork, an asteroid impact crater takes center stage, showcasing the violent history that has shaped this celestial body. The Sun shines brightly in the upper right corner, casting its golden rays across Mercury's rocky terrain. To the left of our star, Earth appears as a mesmerizing blue dot in the sky. Mercury's unique characteristics make it a captivating subject for scientific exploration. Its thin atmosphere is constantly being stripped away by solar winds, leaving behind a barren landscape devoid of air or water. Temperature extremes on Mercury are unparalleled in our solar system; during its scorching days, temperatures can soar up to 400 degrees Celsius while plunging down to -170 degrees Celsius at night. As we gaze upon this image, we are reminded that time moves differently on Mercury compared to Earth. While it takes only 59 days for Mercury to complete one rotation on its axis (resulting in faster-moving stars), witnessing a sunrise requires patience as it occurs every 176 days – equivalent to two full years on this enigmatic planet. Science Photo Library has masterfully captured both the beauty and scientific significance of this otherworldly scene through their remarkable illustration skills.
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