How long is a day on each planet?

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star and has cleared its orbital path of other objects. Planets have rotation periods, which determine the length of their days. The duration of a day varies among planets, measured in hours or Earth days. Rotation periods impact a planet’s climate, atmospheric circulation, and other physical characteristics. Learn about each planet’s day length, rotation speed, and how these factors compare to Earth’s 24-hour cycle.

Day length varies across the planets in our solar system. Mercury experiences the longest day, with its solar day lasting 176 Earth days. Venus rotates in the opposite direction of planets, completing one rotation in 243 Earth days. Earth’s solar day is 24 hours, while its sidereal day lasts 23 hours and 56 minutes. Mars has a day like Earth at 24 hours and 37 minutes. Jupiter and Saturn are the fastest rotating planets, with days lasting 9 hours 55 minutes and 10 hours 33 minutes. Uranus spins on its side and completes a rotation every 17 hours and 14 minutes. Neptune’s day lasts 16 hours and 6 minutes. Astronomers use telescopes to measure planetary rotation rates and study the effects on climate and atmospheric circulation. Rotation periods provide data for understanding planetary formation and evolution.

How long is a day on each planet?

The duration of a day on each planet is detailed in the table below.

Rotation rates impact atmospheric circulation and climate patterns on each world. Astronomers use telescopes to measure these rotation periods, providing data for understanding planetary formation and evolution.

Which planet has the shortest day?

The planet with the shortest day is Jupiter. Jupiter completes one rotation on its axis in 9.92496 hours, making it the fastest-rotating planet in our Solar System. Jupiter’s rotation causes differential rotation in its atmosphere and creates a spheroid shape.

Jupiter’s rotation contrasts with other planets in our solar system. Saturn, another gas giant, completes one rotation in 10.66 hours. Uranus and Neptune have rotation periods of 17.24 hours and 16.11 hours. Gas giants have shorter days compared to terrestrial planets due to their composition and size.

Terrestrial planets exhibit longer rotation periods than gas giants. Earth completes one rotation in 24.00 hours, while Mars takes 24.66 hours. Mercury has a rotation pattern with a sidereal rotation period of 24.62 hours and a solar day lasting 58.65 Earth days. Venus has the longest day of all planets, with a rotation period of 243.02 Earth days. The differences in rotation periods among planets result from factors including size, composition, and formation history.

Which planet’s day is longer than its year?

Venus’s day is longer than its year. Venus takes 243 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis, while its year lasts 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun. Venus is the only planet with this day-year relationship.