Planet Mercury

Abstract

Planet Mercury, analysed by telescopic observations over two centuries, and by spacecraft Mariner 10 during three flybys in 1974-75, has a diameter of 4878km, a density of 5.44g/cm3 and a rotation period of 58.67 days, which is exactly two thirds of its orbital period. Its interior is made of very large iron core representing 42% of the total volume and 75% of the planetary radius, a silicaceous mantle and a crustal surface. This surface is comminuted in a layer of very small siliceous fragments resulting from pulverization by impacts of all size meteoroids. -from Author