National Aeronautics and Space Administrion

Since its inception in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great scientific and technological feats in air and space. NASA technology also has been adapted for many nonaerospace uses by the private sector. NASA remains a leading force in scientific research and in stimulating public interest in aerospace exploration, as well as science and technology in general. Perhaps more importantly, our exploration of space has taught us to view Earth, ourselves, and the universe in a new way. While the tremendous technical and scientific accomplishments of NASA demonstrate vividly that humans can achieve previously inconceivable feats, we also are humbled by the realization that Earth is just a tiny "blue marble" in the cosmos. Check out our "Thinking About NASA History" folder online as an introduction to how history can help you.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Mercury

It's the closest planet from the sun, at only 36 million miles. Only one space probe has visited Mercury 30 year ago. It experiences a drastic contrast in temperature, the side facing the sun is a whooping 800 degrees, while the side away is a detrimental -2900 degrees.

It has some reflective areas which are probablyice from meteors.  Some of Mercurys never recieve any sunlight.

The length of its day is 59 of Earth days while its year is only 88 days. It has a ninety degree axis, which means it does only have one season.

Mercury has large amounts of iron which explains it red color. Caloris Basin is the ring of mountain, which is in many of the pictures of Mercury. The mountains are 807 miles high. Europe and Japan plan to have a joint mission to Mercury in 2013.

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