MESSENGER reveals more of Mercury
Posted: Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 7:52 AM ET (1252 GMT)
Scientists released Tuesday images and other data collected by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft as it flew past Mercury in September. Only some of the planned data for the flyby, the third by MESSENGER, was collected when the spacecraft entered safe mode near closest approach. However, scientists were able to see additional regions of the planet not previously observed, brining the total surface area of the planet imaged by MESSENGER and a 1970s-era mission, Mariner 10, to 98 percent. MESSENGER also studied the planet's thin atmosphere and the elemental composition of the surface, finding higher concentrations of iron and titanium than previously expected. The three MESSENGER flybys set up the spacecraft to go into orbit around the planet in early 2011.
Scientists released Tuesday images and other data collected by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft as it flew past Mercury in September. Only some of the planned data for the flyby, the third by MESSENGER, was collected when the spacecraft entered safe mode near closest approach. However, scientists were able to see additional regions of the planet not previously observed, brining the total surface area of the planet imaged by MESSENGER and a 1970s-era mission, Mariner 10, to 98 percent. MESSENGER also studied the planet's thin atmosphere and the elemental composition of the surface, finding higher concentrations of iron and titanium than previously expected. The three MESSENGER flybys set up the spacecraft to go into orbit around the planet in early 2011.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA IG cites overconfidence and unrealistic schedules for Starliner woes
Posted: Sat, Jul 4 8:11 PM ET (0011 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, July 6
SES falls as Barclays flags 2026 growth risks and Starlink threat
Investing.com — 6:21 am ET (1021 GMT) Korea to launch 4th next-generation medium-sized satellite from U.S. Tuesday
JoongAng Daily — 6:16 am ET (1016 GMT) Space travel’s heavyweights ponder a future with antimatter rockets
The Hill — 6:15 am ET (1015 GMT) Are SpaceX and Tesla Hurtling Toward a Merger?
Bloomberg News — 6:14 am ET (1014 GMT) Boeing Starliner costly but cheaper for NASA than SpaceX switch, audit says
Orlando Sentinel — 6:14 am ET (1014 GMT) |
