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Planets in Our Solar System From the beginning of time man has looked to the skies from intrigue and for answers and explanations. Many objects in space have observed, such as stars, constellations, galaxies, plants and moons. These celestial objects have been looked upon as spiritual and even as if they are the gods of our world. Today, objects have been looked upon as spiritual and even as if they are the gods of our world. Today, objects in space are being studied and understood more than ever before. No longer are they looked upon as the gods or answers, but they still carry much intrigue for people. The nine planets in our solar system have very unique characteristics, and help us understand many things about the universe. Mercury is the eighth largest planet in our solar system and the closest to the sun. Since this planet is so close to the sun it almost always is within 28 degrees of the sun’s temperature (Shehann 51). “In Roman mythology, Mercury is the god of commerce, travel and thievery” (Mercury 1). The planet probably earned this name because it moves so rapidly across the sky. Mercury has been known since the third millennium BC. Mariner 10 is the only spacecraft to visit Mercury; it flew by t