Planet Mercury was created about 4.5 billion years ago, as a result of titanic collisions of massive rocks. Further to these monumental moments, it was then subjected to hundreds of millions of years of meteorites smashing into it. It is covered with craters and cliff tops hundreds of kilometers long as a result of all the direct hits it has taken. What we call its 'Caloris Basin' is a huge crater caused by the biggest meteorite, that hit so hard it shook the whole planet. The amount of incredible heat forced into the planets crust also caused a short period of volatile volcanic eruptions around three and a half billion years ago.
Mercury, which is only just bigger than our Moon, gets the strongest influence of the Suns power. So much so it has shrunk over time as a result of moisture being drawn from it. Since it is the closest planet to the Sun, it is one of the hottest of the planets. Its temperature can hit levels hot enough to melt some metals. The fact it has virtually no atmosphere at all however subjects it to extreme cold and hot temperatures, with its North Pole appearing to be made of ice. If we imagine a ball of iron covered by a thin outer layer of rock, we have the planet Mercury.
Mercury is the fastest mover of all the planets in our solar system. Hence the association with the speedy Messenger to the Gods as understood by the Ancient Romans, who named the planet after their God Mercury. The planet itself travels its orbit approximately one and a half times the speed the Earth does, however its actual planetary rotation is extremely slow. In the middle of its day, the Sun appears to slow before coming to a standstill. The Sun then appears to commence its movement once again, but this time in the opposite direction.
It may be small, but planet Mercury has a power within its core which makes it totally unique. Mercury has a commanding and powerful magnetic field. It is so strong in fact, it is able to affect the direction of the relentless and powerful solar winds. It is the only planet with such a unique influence!
