Questions on Mercury's Orbit and Rotation

relationship between mercury's orbit and rotation

Mercury’s orbit and rotation is different from other planets that it’s an interesting topic for questions. Whether you make or participate in a quiz, it pays to have a clear view of facts.

• Orbital period = 88 Earth days.
• Rotation period = 58 Earth days
• Mercury siderial day = 115 Earth days
• Mercury solar day = 176 Earth days (two Mercury years)
• It completes three rotations about its axis for every two orbits.  (mercury rotation=2/3 orbital period)

For many years astronomers believed that the the roation period and orbital period was equal due to tidal locking with the sun. The reason for this was, whenever it was easier to observe the planet, it showed the same side. Radio telescopes have detected higher temperatures on the darkside, suggesting that the planet rotates slowly. This has been supported by data from Mariner 10

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