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The Moon is 25% of the Earth's diameter. Its density is 3.4 gm/cm3 implying a mostly rocky core (vs. metallic core for the Earth). It does not have any atmosphere. Distance: 384,600 km (238,900 mi). Mass: 0.012 Mass-of-Earth

Impact craters: The Moon's surface is heavily cratered. Maria

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Maria: dark flat areas.

Impact craters on the far side. Large crater is 80km in diameter.

Mare surrounded by highlands 

Copernicus Crater

Copernicus Crater 

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Apollo 17 landing:   


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mercury is a heavily cratered planet closest to the Sun. In some ways, it most resembles the Moon. The density of Mercury is 5.4 gm/cm3. Distance to the Sun: 0.4 AU. Radius: 0.4 Radius-of-Earth. There is no atmosphere on Mercury. Daytime temperature on the equator is 700K (800F)

n   Impact craters
n   Scarps
n   Temperature changes from very Hot to very Cold
n   There is no atmosphere

 

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