By Sakshi Sah
Published Jun 19, 2025

Hindustan Times
Trending

Photo Credit: NASA

Why do we still know so little about Mercury?

Mercury is the least explored rocky planet in our Solar System. Here's why.

Photo Credit: NASA

It took until 2011 for a spacecraft to orbit Mercury, much later than other planets.

Photo Credit: NASA

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Mercury is very hard to see from Earth because it always stays close to the Sun.

Photo Credit: NASA

Most planets are best seen at night, but Mercury rises and sets nearly with the Sun.

Photo Credit: NASA

NASA’s Mariner 10 flew past Mercury in the 1970s, but didn’t enter orbit.

Photo Credit: NASA

NASA’s MESSENGER was the first spacecraft to go into orbit around Mercury in 2011.

Photo Credit: NASA

Mercury’s heat makes close orbits very difficult for spacecraft.

Photo Credit: NASA

Mercury remains tough to explore. Because it’s hard to see, reach, and orbit, Mercury is still one of the least known planets.

Photo Credit: NASA