The innermost planet is rarely seen because of the Sun's glare. With less than half Earth's gravity, Mercury retains only a wisp of an atmosphere (presumed to be helium). The lack of a significant atmosphere allows temperatures to fluctuate from 750 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to minus 320 Fahrenheit at night.

Like the other terrestrial planets -- Venus, Earth and Mars -- Mercury is made mostly of rock and metal. This small world is scarred by craters and looks somewhat like our Moon. This Mariner 10 image shows the density of craters.

Mercury data (averages):
Diameter: 3,031 miles
Time to rotate: 58.6 days
Orbit: 88 Earth days

Compared to Earth:
Mass: 5.5% of Earth's
Diameter: 38% of Earth's
Distance from Sun: 47% as far

MERCURIUS: ROMAN WINGED MESSENGER OF THE GODS

Historical notes

Mercury has been known since ancient times. Its elusiveness generated the name Hermes, given by the Greeks, later translated to Mercurius by the Romans.