MadSci Network: Astronomy
Query:

Re: Why is it so cold on the side of Mercury not facing the sun?

Date: Fri Jun 11 06:38:32 1999
Posted By: Ian Lyon, Faculty, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Manchester
Area of science: Astronomy
ID: 927719594.As
Message:

I believe that the answer is that Mercury stays in an almost locked orbit 
with the sun - tidal friction over time has slowed the rotation of Mercury 
so that the planet only turns three times for every two Mercurian years 
(orbits around the sun).  Although Mercury is very close to the sun, the 
side facing away from the sun will be receiving no source of heat and will 
radiate away its heat rapidly - there is no atmosphere or ocean like on the 
Earth which can carry heat around the planet.  It can therefore cool 
rapidly as it points away from the sun for long periods of time.


Current Queue | Current Queue for Astronomy | Astronomy archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Astronomy.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-1999. All rights reserved.