Mercury Is the Fastest Planet in the Solar System

Mercury holds more than one record. NASA describes it as the smallest planet in our solar system and the one nearest to the Sun, only slightly larger than Earth’s Moon. It is also the fastest. According to NASA, Mercury zips around the Sun every 88 Earth days, so a year there lasts less than three Earth months. The name fits, because NASA notes that Mercury is named for the swiftest of the ancient Roman gods. One thing Mercury is not is the hottest planet. Despite its position closest to the Sun, that title belongs to nearby Venus, which NASA puts down to the dense atmosphere of Venus. Being nearest to the Sun and being hottest turn out to be two different things.