Mercury Swings From 430°C to -180°C, but Venus Is Still Hotter
Mercury’s surface is both extremely hot and cold. Because the planet is so close to the Sun, daytime temperatures can reach 800°F (430°C).
At night, without an atmosphere to retain that heat, temperatures can dip to -290°F (-180°C).
Yet Mercury is not the hottest planet in the solar system. That title belongs to nearby Venus, thanks to its dense atmosphere.
AI-generated discussion · Different perspectives
Take
Venus is the better answer to “which planet is hottest?” but Mercury is the better answer to “which planet has the worst thermostat?”
Pushback
The atmosphere is the switch: 800°F days and -290°F nights are what a missing blanket looks like.