What is the nearest planet to the sun
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Nearest Planet to the Sun: Mercury
Introduction to the Inner Planets
The inner planets of our solar system, also known as the terrestrial planets, include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are characterized by their rocky surfaces and are located closest to the Sun1 2. Among these, Mercury holds the distinction of being the nearest planet to the Sun.
Mercury: The Closest Planet to the Sun
Mercury is the smallest and innermost planet in the solar system. It orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 0.39 astronomical units (AU), which is approximately 58 million kilometers (36 million miles)1 2. Due to its proximity to the Sun, Mercury experiences extreme temperature variations, with surface temperatures ranging from -173°C at night to 427°C during the day.
Characteristics of Mercury
Mercury's small size and close orbit to the Sun result in a very short orbital period. It completes one orbit around the Sun in just 88 Earth days. Despite its proximity to the Sun, Mercury has a very thin atmosphere, composed mostly of oxygen, sodium, hydrogen, helium, and potassium. This thin atmosphere is not capable of retaining heat, contributing to the planet's drastic temperature fluctuations.
Conclusion
In summary, Mercury is the nearest planet to the Sun, making it a unique and extreme environment within our solar system. Its close orbit and rapid revolution around the Sun, combined with its thin atmosphere, result in significant temperature variations and a distinctive planetary profile among the terrestrial planets1 2.
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