Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and the closest one to the sun. It’s so hot that people would burn up if they tried to visit! Luckily, scientists have figured out ways to study Mercury from Earth. Readers discover many of the amazing things scientists have learned about this planet. Clearly labeled diagrams and striking photographs illustrate the educational text, which enhances common science curriculum topics in way that is designed to keep readers engaged.

Strom: Mercury How did Mercury get such an enormous iron core? Why is its tectonic framework so different from any other planet or satellite? What is its crystal composition? Why is the crust so depleted in iron when the interior is so rich in that element? What are the polar deposits? Where do the elements in the exosphere come from? Mercury is a planet shrouded in mystery. Only 45 percent of its surface has been seen in any detail, and that was from the Mariner 10 flyby in 1974. Yet what is known only makes the planet more fascinating. New Earth-based observations have shed light on surface and exosphere compositions, and re-evaluations of the Mariner 10 data, using modern image processing techniques, show evidence for volcanic flow fronts, pyroclastics and other volcanic phenomena not seen before. This ground-breaking book not only chronicles what has been discovered, but looks ahead to what has yet to emerge. An accompanying CD contains all the best Mariner 10 images, including the data for each image, photomosaics and maps.

This is the first book to present the science and instruments of NASA’S MESSENGER space mission. The articles, written by the experts in each area of the MESSENGER mission, describe the mission, spacecraft, scientific objectives, and payload. The book is of interest to all potential users of the data returned by the mission, to those studying the nature of Mercury, and by all those interested in the design and implementation of planetary exploration missions.

Simple text and photographs describe the planet Mercury.

Introduction to the planets Mercury and Venus, the two planets in our solar system closest to the sun.

Offers an authoritative synthesis of knowledge of the planet Mercury after the MESSENGER mission, for researchers and students in planetary science.

An interdisciplinary analysis of human interactions with mercury through history that sheds light on efforts to promote and achieve sustainability. In Mercury Stories, Henrik Selin and Noelle Eckley Selin examine sustainability through analyzing human interactions with mercury over thousands of years. They explore how people have made beneficial use of this volatile element, how they have been harmed by its toxic properties, and how they have tried to protect themselves and the environment from its damaging effects. Taking a systems approach, they develop and apply an analytical framework that can inform other efforts to evaluate and promote sustainability.

The smallest planet in our solar system is also the closest to the sun. That means on Mercury, one year is just 88 days long! Discover more facts about the small but mighty Mercury.

Describes what is known about Mercury from the photographs taken by Project Mariner.

Embark on a journey to get closer to the sun than you ever have before. Readers will discover more about Mercury, the smallest planet in our solar system, and see how it compares to the other rocky planets. Access a downloadable 3D printer model from NASA via Page Plus QR codes.