Scientists review spacecraft studies of Mercury
Posted: Thu, Mar 22, 2012, 6:33 AM ET (1033 GMT)
A year after entering orbit around Mercury, scientists said this week that NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft has provided key insights into the surface, interior, and magnetosphere of the planet. MESSENGER entered orbit around Mercury on March 17 of last year and just completed its one-year primary mission. Scientists said this week that some of the key discoveries from the mission include the fact that the planet's core is unusually large, with a radius of 85 percent of the planet itself, and is at least partially liquid. Other observations confirmed that "radar bright" regions at the planet's poles correspond with areas of permanent shadow, suggesting that they may be made of water ice or other volatiles, although scientists are still working to determine the composition of those regions. MESSENGER continues to operate on an extended mission for at least an additional year, with a greater focus on the planet's magnetosphere and tenuous atmosphere, as well as targeted observations of particular regions of the planet.
A year after entering orbit around Mercury, scientists said this week that NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft has provided key insights into the surface, interior, and magnetosphere of the planet. MESSENGER entered orbit around Mercury on March 17 of last year and just completed its one-year primary mission. Scientists said this week that some of the key discoveries from the mission include the fact that the planet's core is unusually large, with a radius of 85 percent of the planet itself, and is at least partially liquid. Other observations confirmed that "radar bright" regions at the planet's poles correspond with areas of permanent shadow, suggesting that they may be made of water ice or other volatiles, although scientists are still working to determine the composition of those regions. MESSENGER continues to operate on an extended mission for at least an additional year, with a greater focus on the planet's magnetosphere and tenuous atmosphere, as well as targeted observations of particular regions of the planet.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA releases report on Starliner crewed test flight problems
Posted: Sun, Feb 22 11:45 AM ET (1645 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, February 23
The space race is being rewritten by AI – and Europe risks falling behind
EU-Startups — 5:38 am ET (1038 GMT) Space Solar Power Will Inevitably Trump Trump’s War On Solar Power
CleanTechnica — 5:34 am ET (1034 GMT) Foushee outlines space policy at Duke amid competitive primary election
Duke Univ. Chronicle — 5:32 am ET (1032 GMT) How the free market can free NASA from the Space Launch System
The Hill — 5:28 am ET (1028 GMT) ESA Awards Contracts for Lunar Remote Camp Studies
European Spaceflight — 5:26 am ET (1026 GMT) |
