Part 7/10:
The Sun’s illumination causes stark temperature differences across Mercury’s surface. Sunlit regions can reach 400°C, while the shaded areas, particularly at the poles, hover around -163°C. This thermal dichotomy results from Mercury’s small size and lack of a protective atmosphere, which would otherwise moderate temperature swings.
Mercury’s Magnetosphere and Space Environment
Despite its diminutive size, Mercury possesses a magnetic field—about 1.1% the strength of Earth’s. This magnetic field generates a magnetosphere that deflects solar wind particles, protecting its surface from direct solar radiation. The planet’s magnetic field is believed to originate from a molten, metallic core, similar to Earth’s dynamo mechanism, albeit on a smaller scale.