2007-04-11 16:40:25 · 8 answers · asked by Crystalina S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
They'd burn up or something. The intense heat from the sun causes it.
2007-04-11 16:43:11 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
really in this case its just chance. Mercury does not reach the theoretical inner solar orbital limit of a heavy element planet, nor does it push the limit on thermal tollerance. it could get a lot hotter without turning into magma, much less a nuclear furnace. and even if it were molten, there is not enough pull on it from the sun to take a gravitational bite out of it. seems rather stable. and very cold on the dark side btw (no atmosphere).
2007-04-12 00:01:52 · answer #2 · answered by lightning_shrine 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume it's because of the mass of the Sun being so, well, massive that it's gravity will pull in anything that close. Or, possibly, the Sun's gravity is so powerful that planets simply can't form as the material is constantly being pulled apart by the Sun's gravity.
2007-04-11 23:44:09 · answer #3 · answered by Digital Haruspex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chance is a big reason. Also, planets with closer orbits would be subject to stronger tidal pull from the sun, making it more difficult (i.e more unlikely) to form in the first place.
2007-04-12 01:37:28 · answer #4 · answered by taotemu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would assume that the material that would congeal to form planets would be torn apart by the sun's gravitational field rather than combining to form a planet.
2007-04-11 23:46:30 · answer #5 · answered by Randy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually it has been theorized that there maybe objects known as vulcanoids in existance within the range that you described, but in answer to your question They would be torn apart by tidal forces.
2007-04-15 15:57:48 · answer #6 · answered by hilltopobservatory 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't you think that mercury at .38 is close enough.
2007-04-12 05:25:59 · answer #7 · answered by paulbritmolly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just one of those things.
2007-04-11 23:44:16 · answer #8 · answered by cattbarf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋