Mercury explained: the smallest planet

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe claim: Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun, must be the hottest planet. NASA says no.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVenus holds that title, thanks to its dense atmosphere.

3. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorMercury gets daytime highs of eight hundred degrees Fahrenheit, but with no atmosphere to hold the heat, nights drop to minus two hundred ninety.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's a planet that just needs a good blanket.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMinus two ninety.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd it's the fastest planet, going around the Sun every eighty-eight Earth days.

7. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBut one full day-night cycle there takes one hundred seventy-six Earth days, which is just over two years on Mercury.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo it sprints around the Sun and still takes two years to finish a day. The sunrise even rises, sets, and rises again in some spots.

9. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA sunrise with a second chance. I love that for it.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe claim rates Mildly Bonkers. Closest to the Sun, not the hottest, and about the size of a blueberry if Earth were a nickel.