NASA released today new hi-resolution photos of Mercury showing a previously unseen side of the planet. They are the first images of the planet closest to the sun taken in more than 30 years.The satellite MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging probe), launched in 2004, nabbed hundreds of photos during its second fly-by on Oct. 6. Scientists hope the probe will swing into orbit around the scorching planet by March 2011, making it the first spacecraft ever to do so. The satellite is equipped with the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS). From NASA: "This instrument consists of wide-angle and narrow-angle imagers that will map landforms, track variations in surface spectra and gather topographic information. A pivot platform will help point it in whatever direction the scientists choose. The two instruments will enable MESSENGER to 'see' much like our two eyes do." In a pioneering display of digitally transmitted Photography, the Mariner 10 satellite took dozens of photos of Mercury during three fly-bys in the 1970s and sent them back to Earth. These recent photos taken by MESSENGER show many of the same craters scientists identified back then. The Mariner 10 is now orbiting the sun. The MESSENGER is expected to remain in orbit around Mercury for about a year. Below are a few samples. Like all images NASA releases, you are free to download these or photos directly from NASA's Web site.
Mercury.
the extreme heat of the planet causes it to have a high rock content and so the surface looks rocky
It is made of metals and the core is iron.
venus
Mercury's surface is covered in craters on approximately 45% of its surface. These craters were formed by impacts from meteoroids and asteroids over millions of years, due to Mercury's lack of atmosphere to protect its surface.
Because mercury has no atmosphere
mercury looks like the moon ?and is gryish colour
crater impacts
the surface of mercury is made up of rocks
It's cloudy surface atmosphere and the craters on it look exactly like the moon.
there would be nothing, less than mercury, because mercury's atmosphere is a foot off of its surface.
Mercury.
Mercury is very cratered, like the Moon.
It is lunar like becaues of it's battered and rocky surface
If the pool of mercury is big enough, you can see your own face. The surface of mercury is shiny like a mirror.
The surface of Mercury is covered with craters, like the Moon, but temperatures there can reach over 800 F because its proximity to the Sun and slow rotation. More information about this planet can be found in our web page Mercury.
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