Messenger probe march in Mercury

2008/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

The Messenger probe, sent by NASA in 2004 to Mercury, has begun to send the first images of this planet. Scientists have already received more than 1,200 images of the planet. Through these images, scientists will be able to know better than ever the history and evolution of this unknown planet of the Solar System.

In the attached figure you can see, for example, a crater found on the surface of Mercury, and the remains of the release of material that caused the shock that formed the crater. Around are other craters.

The Messenger probe is the first to be placed in Mercury's orbit. In fact, so far only one probe reached Mercury, Mariner was 10 and passed three times above Mercury in 1974 and 1975.