1. After the reclassification of Pluto in 2006, Mercury became the smallest planet in the Solar System. True False

2. Mercury has a magnetic field. (True or False) True False

3. The surface of Mercury facing the Sun is the hottest anywhere in the Solar System (excluding the Sun). (True or False) True False

4. Mercury has how many natural satellites? One Three Two None

5. How many astronomical units (AU) is the planet Mercury from the Sun? 1.00 AU .38 AU 3.8 AU 10.0 AU

6. The gravity of Mercury as compared to Earth( which is 1.00) is? 3.65 1.00 .284 2.84

7. The axial tilt of Mercury is how many degrees? 58 2 12 90

8. Mercury's greatest elongation from the Sun varies from? 4 degrees to 8 degrees 4 degrees to 29 degrees 9 degrees to 15 degrees 16 degrees to 27 degrees

9. Copernicus, who has a crater named after him on the Moon, saw Mercury many times. (true or false) True False

10. Mercury is an ___________ planet (from the viewpoint of Earth). Answer: (Not as good)

11. What is it called when Mercury passes in front of the Sun when viewed from the Earth? Conjunction Nothing Eclipse Transit

12. What is the name of the only spacecraft to visit Mercury? Mariner 10 Venera 3 Mariner 9 Mercury 1

13. What does the surface of Mercury look like? Molten lava Cratered like our Moon Mercury has no visible surface gas clouds

14. Mercury goes through phases just like our Moon does as seen from the Earth. (True or False) True False

15. What is the mass of Mercury compared to the Earth? 1.55 .055 2.35 .35

16. What is the rotation of Mercury in Earth days? 88 59 365 28

17. Mercury's year is how many Earth's days? 59 88 365 28

18. What is the name of the next probe to Mercury called (as of Aug 02)? Contour Genesis Messenger Stardust

19. Mercury was not known before the invention of the telescope. (True or False) True False

20. Does Mercury have an appreciable atmosphere? Yes No