Can people live on Mercury?


Quick Answer

People cannot live on Mercury because it does not have the right conditions to support life, offering instead extreme temperatures and an inhospitable atmosphere. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and it is also the smallest of all planets in the solar system. It can often be seen from Earth close to the sun during sunset and sunrise.

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Full Answer

While scientists have not fully studied the planet Mercury, preliminary findings indicate that it would be impossible for people to survive on the planet. This is because its temperatures can fluctuate from one extreme to another. During the day, the planet can experience temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit while at night temperatures can drop to -290 degrees.

Mercury has a very thin atmosphere that would present problems for anyone trying to breathe. The atmosphere is made up of oxygen, helium, hydrogen and potassium. According to findings by NASA scientists, no evidence of life has ever been found on this planet. This means even micro-organisms like bacteria and fungi may not be able to survive on the planet.

Unlike many other planets, Mercury does not have moons, and it may not experience disasters such as storms or tsunamis. However, it may experience impacts from objects that come from outer space, and it can also be affected by earthquakes.

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