Does the Sun Look Bigger from Mercury?

Yes, in fact it looks almost 2 1/2 times bigger. This is because Mercury is much closer to the sun than Earth — Mercury's orbit is about 36 million miles (58 million kilometers) from the sun, whereas Earth's is 93 million miles (150 million kilometers). This closer distance also changes the length of a year, or a complete orbit of the sun, on Mercury; one year is equivalent to just 88 days on Earth.

More Mercury Facts:

• Earth completes a full rotation on its axis every 24 hours. Mercury completes one rotation in the equivalent of about 176 Earth days, making for very long days and nights.


• Mercury is about two-fifths the size of Earth, with a diameter of just 3,032 miles (4,879 kilometers) compared to the Earth's girth of 7,917 miles (12,742 kilometers). Its volume also is only 5% of the Earth's — if Earth were hollow, 20 Mercury planets would fit inside, with room to spare.


• The gravity on Mercury is about 38% of that on Earth.


• The Ancient Romans named the planet after their speedy messenger of the gods, Mercury, because of how fast it orbits the Sun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Sun appear larger when viewed from Mercury compared to Earth?

Yes, the Sun does appear larger from Mercury. Since Mercury is closer to the Sun than Earth, approximately 36 million miles away at its closest approach, the Sun can appear almost three times larger in the sky when viewed from Mercury compared to when viewed from Earth.

How does the distance of Mercury from the Sun compare to Earth's distance?

Mercury orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 36 million miles, which is significantly closer than Earth's average distance of about 93 million miles. This closer proximity to the Sun is why the Sun appears larger from Mercury's perspective.

Would the size of the Sun affect temperatures on Mercury?

Indeed, the proximity of Mercury to the Sun leads to extreme temperatures, with daytime temperatures soaring up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. However, Mercury has no atmosphere to retain heat, causing night-time temperatures to plummet to -290 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NASA's observations.

Is the orbit of Mercury around the Sun faster than Earth's?

Mercury has a much shorter orbital period than Earth due to its proximity to the Sun. It completes an orbit in just about 88 Earth days, compared to Earth's 365-day orbit. This rapid orbit contributes to Mercury's shorter year.

Does Mercury's smaller size influence how the Sun looks from its surface?

Mercury's size, which is about one-third of Earth's, does not directly influence how the Sun looks from its surface. The apparent size of the Sun is primarily determined by the planet's distance from the Sun, not the planet's size itself.

Can you see solar phenomena, like sunspots, more clearly from Mercury?

Given Mercury's closer vantage point, solar phenomena such as sunspots could potentially be seen in greater detail without telescopic aid, compared to observations from Earth. However, Mercury's lack of a protective atmosphere means that observing the Sun directly would be hazardous to the naked eye.