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Rocky · 1st planet from the Sun
Mercury
The smallest planet and the closest to the Sun, with the most extreme temperature swings of any planet.
This page shows Mercury's real physical facts. Live position data (today's exact distance, rise/set time, current constellation) requires real-time orbital position calculations this site doesn't yet perform — we show honest typical ranges below instead of guessing today's exact numbers.
Size & Distance
Diameter4,879 km
Vs. Earth's diameter0.38×
Distance from Sun0.39 AU (57.9M km)
Distance from Earth (range)91M – 208M km
Mass & Gravity
Mass vs. Earth0.055×
Surface gravity vs. Earth0.38×
Known moons0
Time
Length of day~59 Earth days
Length of year88 days
Orbit
Orbital period88 days
Planet typeRocky
Interesting facts about Mercury
- A year on Mercury (88 days) is shorter than its own day (about 176 Earth days from one sunrise to the next), because of how slowly it rotates relative to its orbit.
- Despite being closest to the Sun, Mercury isn't the hottest planet — that title goes to Venus.
- Mercury has no atmosphere to speak of, so it can't retain heat — nighttime temperatures plunge far below freezing even though daytime temperatures are scorching.
FAQ
How far is Mercury from the Sun?
An average of about 0.39 AU (57.9 million km).
How big is Mercury?
4,879 km in diameter — about 0.38× the diameter of Earth.
How much would I weigh on Mercury?
Multiply your Earth weight by 0.38 — Mercury's surface gravity is 0.38× Earth's. Try our weight calculator for an exact number.