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Mercury

  • What color is Mercury?
  • Is there any water on Mercury?
  • How long does it take to get to Mercury from Earth?
  • How did Mercury get its name?
  • Who discovered Mercury?
  • How many spacecraft have been to Mercury?
  • How old is Mercury?
  • What is Mercury made of?
  • What does the Sun look like from Mercury?
  • What is the weather like on Mercury?
  • Does Mercury have an atmosphere?
  • How far is Mercury from Earth?
  • How long is a year on Mercury?
  • How long is a day on Mercury?
  • How fast does Mercury orbit the Sun?
  • How close is Mercury to the Sun?
  • How strong is the gravity on Mercury?
  • How small is Mercury compared to Earth?
  • Why does Mercury have more craters than the other planets?
  • How hot is Mercury?

How did Mercury get its name?

The Romans knew of seven bright objects in the sky: the Sun, the Moon, and the five brightest planets. They named them after their most important gods. Because Mercury was the fastest planet as it moved around the Sun, it was named after the Roman messenger god Mercury. Mercury was also the god of travelers. According to myth, he had a winged hat and sandals, so he could fly.


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