Deep Space | What NASA Really Discovered On Mercury?

Mercury is the most extreme planet in our solar system — and the most misunderstood. In this video, we break down the real science behind Mercury's 600-degree temperature swings, from 430°C during the day to −180°C at night. We explain exactly why this happens, why Mercury has permanent ice despite being the closest planet to the Sun, and what Mercury's enormous iron core reveals about a catastrophic collision four billion years ago. What you will learn: → Why Mercury's temperature swings are more extreme than any other rocky planet → How billions of tons of ice survive in Mercury's permanently shadowed craters → Why Mercury is slowly shrinking — and what that tells us about its interior All information is based on peer-reviewed science and NASA MESSENGER mission data. Sources: • NASA Solar System Exploration — Mercury: • MESSENGER Mission, Johns Hopkins APL: • Paige et al. (2013), Science: Ice on Mercury • Lawrence et al. (2013), Science: MESSENGER Neutron Spectrometer data • Margot et al. (2007), Science: Mercury's molten core #Mercury #SpaceScience #SolarSystem #PlanetaryScience #NASA #SpaceDocumentary #Astronomy #ExtremeTemperatures #MercuryPlanet #SpaceFacts #CosmicScience #MESSENGER #IceOnMercury #PlanetaryPhysics #SpaceExploration