Mercury; Why the planet of the valleys? About Mercury, the conditions on this planet and its mysteries, especially the long deep canyon Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun, known to humanity since ancient times and confirmed that it is the minor planet orbiting our star back in the Middle Ages. Gross observations made at the beginning of the nineteenth century were the basis of the false theory that Mercury is constantly turning the same side to Earth. Later, some astronomers believed that there were ice caps on Mercury. This assumption also turned out to be wrong. The reason is that our star heats its nearest planet to 1400 degrees Celsius at its equator, and a stream of glowing plasma – the solar wind- blasts its surface with hurricane force.
Scientific controversy has arisen over questions about whether Mercury has its atmosphere, as well as about its daily cycle. Presently, a very rarefied atmosphere has been demonstrated, the thickness of which is negligible.
The automatic probe “Mariner-10” helped to find out the truth.
Filming lasted about 40 hours. As a result, photographs of approximately 40% of Mercury’s surface were transmitted. Before the eyes of scientists appeared a black hot surface, fenced with craters due to the impact of meteorites. The diameter of the fall path of one celestial body reached several tens of kilometers. An unexpected discovery was the discovery of canyons up to four thousand meters deep, stretching hundreds and thousands of kilometers. Mercury is falling from a network of bottomless canyons. A similar picture is not seen in other solar system celestial bodies.
Mercury’s climate is different from the gaseous envelopes of other planets and consists mainly of vapors of potassium and sodium. Helium, carried by the solar wind, is also present in it. But this inert gas quickly evaporates in the interface. Mercury’s magnetic field is created by a liquid metal core, 70% iron. Waters of liquid metal have been theorized to exist on Earth. However, Mariner-10 did not find them. There were no signs of life there either.
Many of Mercury’s mysteries remain shrouded in secrecy. In particular, the reasons for the formation of deep canyons on its surface are unclear. The temperature of the planet’s surface has not been reliably established.
After a specific time, a group of comets approaches the Sun and corrects the orbit of Mercury. The planet passes through its tails, with meteorite debris falling on its surface and forming many craters. However, the Sun has the most significant influence on Mercury’s destiny. From the fate of being swallowed up in the upper glowing layers of daylight, the planet closest to it is saved by the high rate of revolution around the star. The Mercury year is equal to 176 Earth days.
Astronomers believe that Mercury’s orbit will turn from elliptical to spiral and absorb the planet by the Sun over time.