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Our Solar System: In Order From the Sun

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mercury2

Mercury


The first planet from the Sun is Mercury. This planet, appropriately named after the Roman messenger of the gods, zips all the way around the Sun in 88 days--that's about 30 miles every second. This image was taken by the Mariner 10 probe on 24 March 1974. The next probe sent to Mercury is set to arrive in 2011 and will completely map the surface of the planet.

Fun Fact: Mariner 10 was 3,340,000 miles (5,380,000 km) away from Mercury when this picture was taken. Not exactly a close-up!

Photo source: NASA

Next: Venus

Infoplease

Provided by Infoplease—an authoritative, comprehensive reference website that offers an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas, and several almanacs. Visit Infoplease.com to find more resources endorsed by teachers and librarians.

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