ID :

Average distance to the Sun : 58 million km (the closest)
Closest distance to the Earth : 80 million km
Temperature : + 380°C (illuminated face) to - 180°C (dark face)
Diameter : 4878 km
Volume : 1/18 times the one of the Earth
Mass : 1/18 times the one of the Earth
Gravity : 1/3 times the one of the Earth
Composition of the atmosphere : No atmosphere
Moons : None
Rotation time : 88 days
Revolution time : 58 days

Being very close to the Sun, Mercury is really difficult to photograph. Indeed, it's rarely visible and ever close to the horizon during dawn or dusk.
But the best time to photograph it is when it passes exactly between the Earth and the Sun : in this case, it can be seen against the light of the Sun (whith a solar filter!). However, it happens on average once every 7 years... and finally occurs the 7th May 2003 !

	Mercure in front of the Sun Picture taken the 7th May 2003 at Draveil (suburb of Paris). Exposure of 1/500 second on a 100 ISO film by occular projection on a C5 telescope (Diam 125mm) (with solar filter !) Be carreful : Mercure is the upper dot. On the right, the blurred form is a sunspot
	Mercure in front of the Sun Pictures taken the 7th May 2003 at Draveil (suburb of Paris). Exposure of 1/1000th of second using a 100 ISO film in the focus of a C5 telescope (125 mm) (with sun filter!) Real Video 9 format

Be careful, you need a solar filter to watch the Sun.

To navigate, click on the different heavenly bodies.