ScienceDaily: Mercury News

LRO's LAMP ultraviolet spectrograph observes mercury and hydrogen in GRAIL impact plumes

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:17:17 EDT

When NASA's twin GRAIL spacecraft made their final descent for impact onto the Moon's surface last December, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's sophisticated payload was in position to observe the effects. As plumes of gas rose from the impacts, the Lyman Alpha Mapping Project aboard LRO detected the presence of mercury and hydrogen and measured their time evolution as the gas rapidly expanded into the vacuum of space at near-escape velocities.

Mercury may have harbored an ancient magma ocean: Massive lava flows may have given rise to two distinct rock types

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:58:58 EST

By analyzing Mercury's rocky surface, scientists have been able to partially reconstruct the planet's history over billions of years.

Scientists discover water ice on Mercury: Ice and organic material may have been carried to the planet by passing comets

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:13:13 EST

Mercury, the smallest and innermost planet in our solar system, revolves around the sun in a mere 88 days, making a tight orbit that keeps the planet incredibly toasty. Surface temperatures on Mercury can reach a blistering 800 degrees Fahrenheit -- hot enough to liquefy lead.

Mercury's surprising core and landscape curiosities

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:55:55 EDT

Scientists have found that Mercury's core, already suspected to occupy a greater fraction of the planet's interior than do the cores of Earth, Venus, or Mars, is even larger than anticipated. They also discovered that the elevation ranges on Mercury are much smaller than on Mars or the Moon and indicates that there have been large-scale changes to Mercury's topography since early in the planet's geological history.

NASA extends MESSENGER Mission orbiting Mercury

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:05:05 EST

NASA has announced that it will extend the MESSENGER mission for an additional year of orbital operations at Mercury beyond the planned end of the primary mission on March 17, 2012. The MESSENGER probe became the first spacecraft to orbit the innermost planet on March 18, 2011.

Mercury’s magnetic mysteries: MESSENGER results after six months in orbit

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:07:07 EDT

Scientists will highlight the latest results on Mercury from MESSENGER observations obtained during the first six months (the first Mercury solar day) in orbit, at a joint meeting of the European Planetary Science Congress and the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society in Nantes, Frances.

MESSENGER data paints new picture of Mercury's magnetic field

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:32:32 EDT

Scientists are now analyzing the first sets of data being collected by MESSENGER as it orbits Mercury. The spacecraft is capturing new evidence that challenges many previous assumptions about our innermost planet.

Mercury not like other planets, MESSENGER finds

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:21:21 EDT

The MESSENGER spacecraft has shown scientists that Mercury doesn't conform to theory. Its surface material composition differs from both those of the other terrestrial planets and expectations prior to the MESSENGER mission, calling into question current theories for Mercury's formation. Its magnetic field is unlike any other in the solar system, and there are huge expanses of volcanic plains surrounding the north polar region of the planet and cover more than 6 percent of Mercury's surface.

Orbital observations of Mercury reveal flood lavas, hollows, and unprecedented surface details

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:09:09 EDT

After only six months in orbit around Mercury, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft is sending back information that has revolutionized the way scientists think about the innermost planet. Analyses of new data from the spacecraft show, among other things, new evidence that flood volcanism has been widespread on Mercury, the first close-up views of Mercury's "hollows," the first direct measurements of the chemical composition of Mercury's surface, and the first global inventory of plasma ions within Mercury's space environment.

Epic volcanic activity flooded Mercury's north polar region

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:46:46 EDT

Planetary scientists have discovered vast, smooth plains around Mercury's north pole that were created by volcanic activity more than 3.5 billion years ago. The lava flows were epic: They filled craters more than a mile deep and cover 6 percent of Mercury's surface, an area that would cover nearly 60 percent of the continental United States, the scientists say.

Mercury: Messenger orbital data confirm theories, reveal surprises

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:27:27 EDT

In March, the Messenger spacecraft entered orbit around Mercury to become that planet's first orbiter. The tiny craft is providing a wealth of new information and some surprises. For instance, Mercury's surface composition differs from that expected for the innermost of the terrestrial planets, and Mercury's magnetic field has a north-south asymmetry that affects the interaction of the surface with charged particles from the solar wind.

MESSENGER sends back first image of Mercury from orbit

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:27:27 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft has captured a historic image of the planet Mercury. The image is the first ever obtained from a spacecraft in orbit about the Solar System's innermost planet. Over the subsequent six hours, MESSENGER acquired an additional 363 images before downlinking some of the data to Earth. The MESSENGER team is currently looking over the newly returned data, which are still continuing to come down.

Mercury-bound instruments aboard MESSENGER arrive at target

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:05:05 EDT

As the MESSENGER spacecraft begins its science operations above the surface of Mercury, NASA instruments are gearing up to help unveil the planet's mysteries.

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft begins historic orbit around Mercury

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:21:21 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft successfully achieved orbit around Mercury at approximately 9 p.m. EDT Thursday. This marks the first time a spacecraft has accomplished this engineering and scientific milestone at our solar system's innermost planet.

MESSENGER spacecraft to swing into orbit around Mercury

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:32:32 EDT

The MESSENGER spacecraft is scheduled to go into orbit around Mercury on March 17. The mission is an effort to study the geologic history, magnetic field, surface composition and other mysteries of the planet. The findings are expected to broaden our understanding of rocky planets in other solar systems.

First mission to Mercury

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:40:40 EST

As the team of scientists behind NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft eagerly awaits the craft’s entry into Mercury’s orbit on 17 March, we could soon get answers to questions about the origin, composition, interior structure and geological history of this mysterious planet.

ESA’s Mercury mapper feels the heat

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:12:12 EST

Key components of the ESA-led Mercury mapper BepiColombo have been tested in a specially upgraded European space simulator. ESA’s Large Space Simulator is now the most powerful in the world and the only facility capable of reproducing Mercury’s hellish environment for a full-scale spacecraft.

Mercury’s comet-like appearance spotted by satellites looking at the Sun

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:17:17 EDT

Scientists report that NASA satellites designed to view the escaping atmosphere of the Sun have also recorded evidence of escaping gas from the planet Mercury. The STEREO mission has two satellites placed in the same orbit around the Sun that the Earth has, but at locations ahead and behind it. This configuration offers multi-directional views of the electrons and ions that make up the escaping solar wind. On occasion, the planet Mercury appears in the field of view of one or both satellites. In addition to its appearance as a bright disk of reflected sunlight, a "tail" of emission can be seen in some of the images.

New revelations about Mercury's volcanism, magnetic substorms and exosphere from MESSENGER

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:28:28 EDT

Analysis of data from MESSENGER's third and final flyby of Mercury in September 2009 has revealed evidence of younger volcanism on the innermost planet than previously recognized, new information about magnetic substorms, and the first observations of emission from an ionized species in Mercury's very thin atmosphere or exosphere.

MESSENGER Spacecraft Reveals More Hidden Territory On Mercury

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:54:54 EST

A NASA spacecraft gliding over the battered surface of Mercury for the second time this year has revealed more previously unseen real estate on the innermost planet. The probe also has produced several science firsts and is returning hundreds of new photos and measurements of the planet's surface, atmosphere and magnetic field.

MESSENGER Spacecraft Prepares For Final Pass By Mercury

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:08:08 EDT

NASA's Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft known as MESSENGER will fly by Mercury for the third and final time on Sept. 29. The spacecraft will pass less than 142 miles above the planet's rocky surface for a final gravity assist that will enable it to enter Mercury's orbit in 2011. Determining the composition of Mercury's surface is a major goal of the orbital phase of the mission. The spacecraft already has imaged more than 90 percent of the planet's surface. The spacecraft's team will activate instruments during this flyby to view specific features to uncover more information about the planet.

Magnetic Tornadoes Could Liberate Mercury's Tenuous Atmosphere

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:22:22 EDT

Mercury is scorching hot, with daytime temperatures of more than 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Its hard for the planet to hold on to its atmosphere, which is extremely thin, and invisible to the human eye. However, it can be seen by special instruments attached to telescopes and spacecraft like MESSENGER.

Unusual Impact Basin Discovered On Mercury

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:47:47 EDT

A previously unknown, large impact basin has been discovered by the MESSENGER spacecraft during its second flyby of Mercury in October 2008. The impact basin, now named Rembrandt, more than 700 kilometers (430 miles) in diameter. If the Rembrandt basin had formed on the east coast of the United States, it would span the distance between Washington, D.C., and Boston.

Origin And Evolution Of Planet Mercury Revealed With Multispectral Images

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:47:47 EDT

Using high-resolution and multispectral images, researchers have started the difficult process of determining the composition of Mercury's crust and chronicling its origin and evolution.

Magnesium Detected In MESSENGER Flyby Of Mercury

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:45:45 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft served up another curveball after a second flyby of the hot inner planet Oct. 6 detected magnesium -- an element created inside exploding stars and which is found in many medicine cabinets on Earth -- clumped in the tenuous atmosphere of the planet.

More Hidden Territory On Mercury Revealed By MESSENGER Spacecraft

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:11:11 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER Spacecraft Reveals Mercury As Never Seen Before

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:28:28 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER space probe has made its second swing past Mercury, just 125 miles (200 kilometers) above the cratered surface of our solar system's innermost planet, snapping hundreds of pictures and collecting a variety of other data.

Space Scientists Set For Second Spacecraft Flyby Of Mercury

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:42:42 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, which is toting an $8.7 million University of Colorado at Boulder instrument to measure Mercury's wispy atmosphere and blistering surface, will make its second flyby of the mysterious, rocky planet Oct. 6.

Mercury's 'Spider' Pantheon Fossae Formation Linked To Asteroid Impact

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:45:45 EDT

A new model suggests that the origin of the Pantheon Fossae on the planet Mercury, a radiating web of troughs located in the giant Caloris Basin, is directly linked to an impact crater at the centre of the web. The Caloris Basin is the youngest-known large impact basin on Mercury.

MESSENGER Settles Old Debates And Makes New Discoveries At Mercury

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:06:06 EDT

Scientists have argued about the origins of Mercury's smooth plains and the source of its magnetic field for more than 30 years. Now, analyses of data from the January 2008 flyby of the planet by the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft have shown that volcanoes were involved in plains formation and suggest that its magnetic field is actively produced in the planet's core.

Mercury's Surface Dominated By Volcanism And Iron-deficiency

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:07:07 EDT

Multispectral data on the composition of rock untis of the surface of Mercury show a widespread role for volcanism and an apparent deficiency in iron in the rocks' minerals.

Volcanic Activity Shaped Mercury After All

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:06:06 EDT

Planetary geologists have determined that volcanism played a central role in forming Mercury's surface. The evidence of volcanic activity, published in Science, lends important insights into Mercury's geologic history.

Iron 'snow' helps maintain Mercury's magnetic field, scientists say

Wed, 07 May 2008 11:07:07 EDT

New scientific evidence suggests that deep inside the planet Mercury, iron "snow" forms and falls toward the center of the planet, much like snowflakes form in Earth's atmosphere and fall to the ground. The movement of this iron snow could be responsible for Mercury's mysterious magnetic field.

Mercury's Shifting, Rolling Past

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:32:32 EDT

Patterns of scalloped-edged cliffs or lobate scarps on Mercury's surface are thrust faults that are consistent with the planet shrinking and cooling with time. However, compression occurred in the planet's early history and Mariner 10 images revealed decades ago that lobate scarps are among the youngest features on Mercury. Why don't we find more evidence of older compressive features? A new simulation reveals a possible cause of Mercury's distinctive features.

'The Spider' On Mercury: MESSENGER Spacecraft Streams Back Surprises

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:31:31 EST

The recent flyby of Mercury by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft has given scientists an entirely new look at a planet once thought to have characteristics similar to those of Earth's moon. Researchers are amazed by the wealth of images and data that show a unique world with a diversity of geological processes and a very different magnetosphere from the one discovered and sampled more than 30 years ago.

Mercury's Magnetosphere Fends Off Solar Wind

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:01:01 EST

The planet Mercury's magnetic field appears to be strong enough to fend off the harsh solar wind from most of its surface, according to new data from NASA's Messenger spacecraft.

Mercury In Color

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:53:53 EST

One week ago, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft transmitted to Earth the first high-resolution image of Mercury by a spacecraft in over 30 years, since the three Mercury flybys of Mariner 10 in 1974 and 1975.

First Look At Mercury's Previously Unseen Side

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:47:47 EST

When the MESSENGER spacecraft passed above the surface of Mercury, it snapped the first pictures of a side of Mercury not previously seen by a spacecraft. A new image shows that previously unseen side, with a view looking toward Mercury's south pole.

Europe's Mercury Mission Swings Into Action

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:19:19 EST

The European Space Agency signaled the start of a busy period for the planet Mercury, when it signed the contract for industrial development to start for the BepiColombo mission Jan. 18, 2008. BepiColombo, a mission to make the most comprehensive study of Mercury ever, is due for launch in August 2013.

MESSENGER Reveals Mercury In New Detail

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:40:40 EST

As MESSENGER approached Mercury the spacecraft's Narrow-Angle Camera on the Mercury Dual Imaging System instrument captured a view of the planet's rugged, cratered landscape illuminated obliquely by the Sun.

MESSENGER Space Probe's Flyby Of Mercury A Success

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:14:14 EST

At 2:04 p.m. EST on Jan. 14, 2008, the MESSENGER spacecraft skimmed 200 kilometers (124 miles) above the surface of Mercury in the first of three flybys of the planet. Initial indications from the radio signals indicate the spacecraft is still operating nominally. The first science data return from the flyby was received just minutes before the closest approach point with the planet, as planned.

Flyby Of Mercury Coming Up In NASA's Messenger Mission

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:48:48 EST

NASA will point a power-packed space instrument at some of the last unexplored terrain in the inner solar system when the MESSENGER spacecraft whips within 125 miles of Mercury's surface Jan. 14 at a mind-boggling 141,000 miles per hour.

Scientists Gear Up For Mercury Mission Flyby Of Venus

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:57:57 EDT

Researchers will scan Venus during a spacecraft flyby this week using an $8.7 million instrument they designed and built for NASA's MESSENGER Mission, launched in 2004 and speeding toward Mercury.

Planet Mercury Has Molten Core, NASA Researchers Find

Thu, 03 May 2007 16:01:01 EDT

Researchers working with high-precision planetary radars have discovered strong evidence that the planet Mercury has a molten core. The finding explains a more than three-decade old planetary mystery that began with the flight of the Mariner 10 spacecraft. The research appears in the journal Science.

ESA Working To Build BepiColombo

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:59:59 EDT

BepiColombo, ESA's mission to explore planet Mercury, has been definitively "adopted" by the Agency's Science Program Committee. The mission will now start its industrial implementation phase, to prepare for launch in August 2013.

NASA Spacecraft Completes Successful Earth Swingby

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 09:28:28 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, headed toward the first study of Mercury from orbit, has swung by Earth for a gravity assist that propelled it deeper into the inner solar system.

Mercury-bound MESSENGER Launches From Cape Canaveral

Wed, 04 Aug 2004 08:42:42 EDT

NASA's MESSENGER – set to become the first spacecraft to orbit the planet Mercury – launched August 3 at 2:15:56 a.m. EDT aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

NASA Sending A MESSENGER To Mercury

Mon, 26 Jul 2004 08:59:59 EDT

NASA’s first trip to Mercury in 30 years – and the closest look ever at the innermost planet – starts in August with the predawn launch of the MESSENGER spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

Let Gravity Assist You...

Thu, 23 Oct 2003 07:11:11 EDT

Imagine if every time you drove by a city, your car mysteriously picked up speed or slowed down. Substitute a spacecraft and a planet for the car and the city, and this is called a 'gravity assist'.

NASA Observatory Tracking Rare Solar Event

Mon, 05 May 2003 08:48:48 EDT

The planet Mercury will pass in front of the sun on Wednesday, May 7 in an unusual event called a transit. NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft offers excellent, safe views of the rare occurrence to anyone with an Internet connection.

NASA's Mercury Orbiter Mission Passes Major Milestone

Mon, 01 Apr 2002 07:50:50 EST

The first mission to orbit the planet Mercury took a big step toward its scheduled March 2004 launch when NASA's MESSENGER project received approval to start building its spacecraft and scientific instruments.

NASA Gives Official Nod To First Mercury Orbiter; Messenger Mission Moves Into Final Development Stages

Mon, 11 Jun 2001 07:30:30 EDT

NASA has given the first Mercury orbiter mission approval to move into full-scale spacecraft development setting up the first trip to the sun’s closest neighbor in more than a generation.

New Ground-Based Photos Of Mercury's Unseen Surface Obtained By Astronomers

Fri, 02 Jun 2000 07:52:52 EDT

Ever since Galileo first used a telescope in 1609, astronomers have tried to capture images of the surface of Mercury with a ground-based telescope. Now, a team of astronomers from Boston University released images revealing details of Mercury's surface in the May issue of The Astronomical Journal and at the American Geophysical Union in Washington, DC.

SOHO Scoops A Picture Of Planets On Parade

Mon, 08 May 2000 08:31:31 EDT

Exclusive images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft will show four planets marching together on the side of the sun opposite from Earth, near the climax of a line-up of planets that is fascinating amateur astronomers around the world this month. On May 15, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will all be in the field of view of the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) instrument on SOHO.

APL-Managed Mission To Mercury Selected For NASA Discovery Flight

Thu, 08 Jul 1999 11:44:44 EDT

The proposed MESSENGER mission to Mercury, managed by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, has been selected by NASA for launch in 2004. MESSENGER will be the first spacecraft to visit Mercury in more than three decades.

Proposed Visits to Martian Moons and Mercury -- Two Hopkins-Managed Missions Selected As NASA Discovery Program Candidates

Sat, 14 Nov 1998 12:18:18 EST

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is mission manager for two proposals selected by NASA as candidates for the next missions in the agency's Discovery Program of lower-cost, highly focused scientific spacecraft