Term
| How would you determine the age of a surface on mercury? |
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Definition
| Count craters, make a crater density graph, compare the graph to graphs of known surfaces on the moon. |
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Term
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Definition
A graph that shows the populations of craters not the numbers of craters.
It shows how much of the surface is covered by each size of crater |
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Term
| Why is it difficult to observe mercury from earth? |
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Definition
It is the closest planet to the sun so it is always right next to it.
WE can only see it at sunset and sunrise |
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Term
| Why is it difficult to send missions to mercury? |
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Definition
Because it is so close to the sun it is difficult to avoid getting sucked into the sun.
It takes a lot of fuel to slow a space craft down and keep it around mercury. |
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Term
| Mercury has a density of 5.2g/cm3, what is it made of? |
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Definition
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Term
| Mercury has a moment of inertia of .34, is it differentiated or homogenous? |
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Definition
Differentiated
Mercury has a massive iron core. |
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Term
| What are the two surfaces of mercury? |
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Definition
Mare lava flows and old highlands.
Unlike the moon they have different albedos. |
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Term
| How is mercury similar to the moon? |
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Definition
The surfaces of mercury are the same ages as the surfaces of the moon.
It is the same size as the moon |
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Term
| How is mercury different then the moon? |
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Definition
Mercury has a massive iron core
Mercury has a higher gravitational pull
mercury has a constant albedo. |
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Term
| What is the Caloris basin? |
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Definition
The largest impact crater on mercury
It formed during Late Heavy Bombardment 3.8byrs ago. |
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Term
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Definition
The sandpaper textured terrain on mercury opposite the Caloris basin.
It forms when the compression waves from huge metiorior impacts travel through the massive iron core. |
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Term
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Definition
Wrinkles on the surface of Mercury.
They form when the massive iron core cools, hardens and shrinks. The crust of the planet wrinkles on the surface. |
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