How does Mercury's year length compare to its day length?

Prepare for the Science Olympiad Reach for the Stars Test. Focus on flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Master your astronomy knowledge!

Mercury's year length is significantly shorter than its day length, making it unique among the planets in our solar system. A single year on Mercury, defined by one complete orbit around the Sun, takes about 88 Earth days. In contrast, a single rotation on its axis, which defines a day, takes about 176 Earth days. This means that it takes Mercury longer to complete one full rotation on its axis than it does to orbit the Sun.

This phenomenon results in what can be described as a long day (176 Earth days) and a short year (88 Earth days), illustrating the peculiar rotational and orbital dynamics of Mercury due to its proximity to the Sun and its eccentric orbit. The other options do not accurately reflect this relationship between day and year lengths on Mercury, which is why this choice is the most accurate.

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