It is believed that these were formed as Mercury’s core and mantle cooled and contracted at a time when the crust had already solidified. The surface is also marked by numerous narrow ridges that extend up to hundreds of kilometers in length. At the outermost layer is Mercury’s crust, which is believed to be 100 – 300 km thick. The interior is believed to be composed of molten iron which is surrounded by a 500 – 700 km mantle of silicate material. For example, geologists estimate that Mercury’s core occupies about 42% of its volume, compared to Earth’s 17%. Based on its density and size, a number of inferences can be made about its internal structure. In fact, Mercury’s density (at 5.427 g/cm 3) is the second-highest in the Solar System, only slightly less than Earth’s (5.515 g/cm 3).Īs one of the four terrestrial planets of the Solar System, Mercury is composed of approximately 70% metallic and 30% silicate material. And while it is smaller than the largest natural satellites in our system – such as Ganymede and Titan – it is more massive. With a mean radius of 2440 km and a mass of 3.3022×10 23 kg, Mercury is the smallest planet in our Solar System – equivalent in size to 0.38 Earths.
And like Venus and the Moon, it also goes through phases a characteristic which originally confounded astronomers, but eventually helped them to realize the true nature of the Solar System. Much like Venus, its orbit between Earth and the Sun means that it can be seen at both morning and evening (but never in the middle of the night). In spite of that, Mercury is one of the least understood planets in our Solar System. As such, it has played an active role in the mythological and astrological systems of many cultures. Named after the Roman messenger of the gods, the planet is one of a handful that can be viewed without the aid of a telescope. Some were borrowed from astronomical symbols, creation associations between cosmic and elemental concepts.Īlchemy and the pursuit of transmutation persisted well into the 18th century, when the development of modern science and empiricism largely put an end to the practice.Mercury is the closest planet to our Sun, the smallest of the eight planets, and one of the most extreme worlds in our Solar Systems. This led to the adoption of cryptic symbolism, disguising alchemical work. However, they continued, at the same time, to place importance upon ancient elemental notions, as well as magic, esotericism, and mythology.įor a time, alchemists were persecuted across much of Europe. Though the symbols in this category relate to European alchemic practices, similar experiments and projects existed in the Indian subcontinent, the Far East, and the Islamic world.Īlchemists developed theories and methods, as well as laboratory techniques, that would later develop into modern scientific practice. Famously, alchemists attempted to create a ‘philosopher's stone’ in order to achieve these aims. They sought to develop an elixir that would grant immortality or eternal life, as well as a cure-all medicinal panacea.
General Alchemy description Alchemy, which gained significant popularity in Medieval Europe, is the precursor to modern-day chemistry, philosophy and scientific method.Īlchemists performed experiments, attempting to turn base metals, such as lead, into gold.
0 kommentar(er)
