St. Louis Science Center: Astronomy Fact Of The Day: February 24, 2022

St. Louis MO

25 February, 2022

9:30 AM

Description

Press release from St. Louis Science Center: February 24, 2022 Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun at approximately 30.4 million miles (48.9 million km) which causes the planet to heat up to extreme temperatures. However, because Mercury has little to no atmosphere, it is not able to hold the heat. This means that as day turns to night, temperatures drop drastically. Daytime temperatures on Mercury can reach up to 800°F (430°C), while nighttime temperatures reach as low as -290°F (-180°C). This press release was produced by St. Louis Science Center. The views expressed here are the author's own.