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Atmosphere of Mercury facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Mercury has a very weak atmosphere. Its atmosphere contains hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium, potassium and water vapor. It has a combined pressure level of about 10−14 bar (1 nPa). The elements may come from either the solar wind or from the planetary crust.

Composition

Mercury's atmosphere consists of different types of elements. These elements may come from the solar wind or from the planetary crust. The first elements discovered were atomic hydrogen, helium and atomic oxygen. They were observed by the ultraviolet radiation photometer of Mariner 10 in 1974. The hydrogen and helium in Mercury's atmosphere are believed to come from the solar wind. Oxygen is believed to come from Mercury's crust.

The fourth element that was discovered in Mercury's exosphere was sodium. It was discovered in 1985 by Drew Potter and Tom Morgan. The fifth element that was discovered in Mercury's exosphere was potassium. It was discovered in 1986 by Drew Potter and Tom Morgan. In 1998, calcium was found in Mercury's atmosphere. Magnesium was discovered by MESSENGER.

Images for kids

  • Ca and Mg tail of Mercury (PIA12366)

    Ca and Mg in the tail

  • Mercury Sodium Tail

    Sodium tail, photographed by an amateur in Italy

  • Mercury Sodium tail (PIA11076)

    Sodium tail

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Atmósfera de Mercurio para niños

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