Mercury was not actually known exactly as a planet when it was first discovered – even if it was first witnessed through telescopes in the 17th century by astronomers Thomas Harriot and Galileo Galilei.
We all know that Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. However, the question is, how was planet Mercury discovered? Was it a coincidence that humans were flying around the galaxy and happened to drive by this planet? Or have they gone through extensive research to discover this planet?
You see, not a lot of planets were discovered intentionally; most of the time, they are discovered accidentally when researchers are looking for something along the galaxy. For this particular case, is planet Mercury one of the few to be discovered accidentally or intentionally?
Here, we will dive down deeper into the galaxy to learn how the planet Mercury was discovered. If you want to learn more about this discovery, buckle up your sit as you are in for a treat!
Everything to Know About Mercury
One of the earliest known accounts of Mercury being told is around the 14th century. The first observations were iterated in the Mul.
Apin Tablets, and it was believed that these observations were made known by an Assyrian astronomer in the 14th century. When the tablet was translated, Mercury was first coined as the “jumping planet.”
There were also a lot of known civilizations that named this planet. The Ancient Greeks named the planet Hermes, whereas the Babylonians named it Nabu. On the other hand, the Romans named it Mercury, and it has struck the people since then.
While it’s safe to say that these civilizations were one of the first few accounts of saying that Mercury was a planet, it was not until the early 16th and 17th centuries that this planet was further shed light upon. We can give props to some modern-day scientists that Mercury was further studied and explored.
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The First Observers of Mercury
We can credit Galileo Galilei and Giovanni Zupi, as these scientists were the first to observe the planet. It was later observed that Mercury has the same surface as most neighboring planets, like Earth, Mars, and Venus.
The first telescopic observations of Mercury were done in early 1610. And 21 years later, Pierre Gassendi observed that Mercury was closely moving around the Sun. And while proof of Mercury’s orbit to the sun remains inconclusive, it was not until 8 years later that this theory came to life.
With the technological advancements and innovations coming along, Mercury was further observed in the 1960s, and most scientists believed that Mercury was only front-facing the Sun and had a hot and cold side. For instance, most astronomers thought Mercury had an atmosphere to regulate the planet’s temperatures.
In 1962, a breakthrough discovery occurred in which astronomers from the Soviet Nations bounced radar signals off Mercury’s surface. American astronomers were quick to calculate that Mercury does rotate. Based on their calculations and findings, it would take around 59 days for Mercury to rotate once, not the 88 days most astronomers thought.
There were plenty of flybys that occurred when observing Mercury, and this happened in 1974. It was the Mariner 10 who could see the planet up close and personal but could only observe one hemisphere over the duration of three flybys.
However, many questions were answered when NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft was able to complete a full flyby that happened in 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions about Planet Mercury Discovered
How Many Spacecraft Have Been to Mercury?
So far, only two known spacecraft have been able to navigate this planet. The first one was Mariner 10, which was able to complete three flybys in the years 1974 and 1975, and it could map out the planet’s surface, albeit only half was done.
The second spacecraft to come to Mercury was Messenger. It went into Mercury’s orbit, and this flyby resulted in mapping the entire surface of Mercury, which was completed in 2013. The flyby first started in 2011.
Another spacecraft due for a glimpse of Mercury’s surface is the BepiColombo. It is a joint mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and European Agency. Its arrival in Mercury’s atmosphere will be around December of 2025, barring any setbacks.
Who Discovered Mercury?
We can’t thank a specific human being for discovering Mercury, as Mercury is one of the few planets that can be seen from Earth’s naked eye. Observations from Earth have been made for thousands of years, and one of the oldest accounts of Mercury being observed dates back to Sumerians in 3,000 BC.
The only thing we can thank is technology. As technology advanced, it became clear what this planet was all about. As we’ve mentioned, this planet’s first telescopic observations were largely thanks to Galileo Galilei in the 16th century.
How Hot is Mercury’s Surface?
It is safe to assume that Mercury might be the hottest planet in the solar system because it is the nearest planet to the Sun. It also has a thin layer of the atmosphere, and most researchers have discovered that it has one of the craziest temperature fluctuations in the solar system.
During a normal day, Mercury can go as hot as a staggering heat capable of reaching up to 801 Fahrenheit during the day and can drop -279 when nighttime comes. As we’ve said, it has got to be one of the biggest temperature fluctuations in the solar system.
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Conclusion
There are still thousands, if not millions, of planets unexplored. Fortunately, some of these planets were already discovered and continue to unravel the world’s never-ending questions about planets, galaxies, and if there is life outside of Earth.
Like everyone’s expecting, we can hopefully find a habitable planet to live outside of Earth to ensure the survival of our race. Let’s hope it can arrive sooner than later and have ourselves prepared for the future. This must give you plenty of ideas about the humble beginnings of Mercury.
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