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IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIVE ON MERCURY?

Anatoliy Vidmachenko; Oleksiy Steklov

Conference proceedings: Raccolta di articoli scientifici «ΛΌГOΣ» con gli atti della VIII Conferenza scientifica e pratica internazionale «Ricerche scientifiche e metodi della loro realizzazione: esperienza mondiale e realtà domestiche» (Bologna, Repubblica Italiana; 19 dicembre, 2025)

Section: Physics and Mathematics

Publication date: 2025/12/19

Pages: 160-165

DOI: 10.36074/logos-19.12.2025.029

ISBN: 978-617-8440-86-2

Publisher: Associazione Italiana di Storia Urbana

Language: en

PDF for indexing Original PDF in OJS archive DOI

Abstract

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, rotating in an elliptical orbit with an eccentricity of 0.2056. Therefore, the temperature at the subsolar point of Mercury is +410°C and +480°C at aphelion and perihelion, respectively; and before sunrise, the temperature at the equator drops to -183°C. This means that Mercury experiences the most dramatic temperature fluctuations in the Solar System. Mercury has a magnetic field with a strength of approximately 1% of Earth's. It traps a significant portion of the solar wind and cosmic radiation, reducing radiation on the planet's surface. However, the virtually complete absence of an atmosphere, its proximity to the Sun, and a day length of 59 Earth days pose serious obstacles to colonizing Mercury. Furthermore, Mercury is one of the most difficult planets to reach. The planet's surface heats up and cools down quickly; But even at a depth of 1 meter, diurnal temperature fluctuations are virtually nonexistent. Mercury's soil is believed to contain a large reserve of helium-3, which could become an important source of clean energy; Mercury may also contain large ore deposits accessible for mining; radar studies of the planet's polar regions have revealed the presence of water ice at the bottom of deep craters in both polar regions, where the Sun never shines. Conditions on Mercury are lethal to any protein-based life, with temperature fluctuations of approximately 650 degrees Celsius; and a standard spacesuit would be unable to withstand the powerful solar radiation. Therefore, human habitation would be possible only in a shelter with very thick walls on the planet's surface, or, better yet, beneath it. Near the poles, temperature fluctuations between day and night are not as noticeable as elsewhere on Mercury's surface. This makes the poles the most suitable location for establishing a habitable base. Even at a depth of 1 meter, the amplitude of diurnal temperature fluctuations is significantly reduced. At a certain distance from the surface, the fluctuations disappear completely, and a suitable average temperature is observed. Solving the problem of soil thermal conductivity on Mercury using the method of Academician V.A. Steklov, we found that for a latitude of |70-80°|, with a surface temperature difference ranging from +250°C to -210°C, the temperature below the surface at depths of 3-30 m will remain constant. Depending on latitude, the range of this constant temperature is within +(5С. The area with such a comfortable temperature for biological life in the subsurface circumpolar areas is more than three million square kilometers. Thus, dozens of settlements could be located beneath Mercury's surface at depths of 330 m. The completed studies provide grounds to assert that beneath the surface of Mercury, in both its circumpolar regions, within latitudes from 70 to 80 degrees, there are zones with temperatures quite comfortable for human habitation. There, the temperature is constant and remains between +5 and +30С.

Author affiliations

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