claim: The sun was so intense, it took the mercury up to in excess of 120°F as it topped out at 122.4 °F ( 50.2°C ).
evidence: The surface temperature of Mercury ranges from 100 to 700 K ( −173 to 427 °C; −280 to 800 °F ) at the most extreme places : 0°N, 0°W, or 180°W.