Exploration of Planet Mercury - Essay Example

The orbit of mercury is substantially eccentric, in which it is seventy million km from the aphelion mercury to the sun and forty-six km from the perihelion mercury to the sun. Formation and composition of planet mercury According to scientists, the solar system formed approximately 4.5 billion years (Margaret 7). A number of theories exist to explain the formation of origin of mercury including the collision and solar-boiling theories. Astronomers Elian the formation of mercury to involve nebula that was condensed into the planet.

As gravitational force increased in planet mercury, remaining dust and matter completed forming the mercury’s planetary surface and bodies. Mercury formation commenced after the nebula sectionthat created mercury formed a silicate crust after which asteroids bombarded the surface resulting to out-flow of internal lava forming a new crust. The core of mercury cooled over time and contracted resulting to cracks on the outer crust. Furthermore, period of severe bombardment by meteorites formed a regolith, which is a dusty surface.

Occasionally, asteroids would strike the surface of mercury creating craters that are bright rayed. During the cooling process of the iron core, it is believed that the planet contracted leading to a wrinkled surface. Scientists have named the wrinkles on the surface of the planet Lobate scarps, which vary in length. Consequently, planet earth is mainly composed of massive metals and rocks that is attributed to the high density of the planet despite being the smallest. Observation of planet mercury from earth period it lasts The observation of planet mercury is possible but under a certain condition.

Individuals on earth can only view the planet during the sunset our sunrise (twilight) because of the planet’s proximity to the sun. Planet mercury is observed by waking up early and observing the low sky along the east-southwest horizon approximately 50-60 minutes before sunrise. Scientists have determined that the planet rises 90 minutes prior to twilight and is observable by the naked human eye, which appears to be a distinct bright “star” (Rao). Consequently, visibility of planet mercury from earth is estimated to last for about 90 minutes before sunrise.

However, astronomers have determined the period the planet visibility lasts to vary with some indicating that it appears for 45 minutes before the sunrise. Additionally, the planet can be clearly observed using a telescope. This is done by aiming the telescope at the planet and tracking through twilight to enhance the visibility. Survival chances on planet with proper technology Scientists have determined that there is no chance for survival in planet mercury (National Geographic). Although technological innovation have facilitated astronomers to land in planet mercury, the conditions including very extreme temperate of 430 degrees proves to be very hard for an individual to survive (Rao).

Notably, there lack a proper technology to stabilize such temperature throughout the day in the plane. Most capsizing fact is that one day in planet mercury is 58 days on earth, which means an individual has to create a timeframe to facilitate sleeping hours and working hours that are on daytime for a considerable period. The lack of atmosphere in mercury makes it impossible for survival for people because it is close to impossible to create an atmosphere in space. Nature and Observations made on the surface of planet mercury Mercury is beautiful because of its