Wild weather across the Solar System

Katrin Raynor looks at the extreme climates found on our neighbouring planets

- Katrin Raynor

The climate on Earth is just right to support a rich diversity of life on land and in the oceans. The abundance of water, the warmth and energy from the Sun, and interactions within Earth's atmosphere create weather systems, while the motion of Earth gives rise to seasons. We do, however, experience extremes. Death Valley in Arizona holds the record for the highest air temperature recorded, in 1913- a blistering 56.7°C (134.1°F) and in 1983, the air temperature in Vostok, Antarctica, dropped to -89.2°C (-128.6°F). But if you think that's extraordinary, it's nothing compared to the rest of the Solar System!

Mercury

Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System and the closest to the Sun. It spins almost upright on its axis and doesn't have any seasons. Continually blasted by solar emissions - the Sun's rays here are around seven times stronger than on Earth - it experiences the most extreme temperatures of all planets. Due to its tenuous atmosphere, called an exosphere, rocky Mercury does not have weather systems. Temperatures can reach a scorching 430°C (806°F) during the day and at night plummet very quickly to a painfully cold -180°C (-290°F). However, despite being the closest planet to the Sun, Mercury isn't the hottest.

Venus