MESSENGER Mercury Updates.

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

JonClarke

Guest
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/0 ... -prep.html

I will make this thread sticky for the flyby on the 14th.

Jon Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars  Arthur Clarke
 
J

JonClarke

Guest
Messenger web site<br /><br />http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/ <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
 
3

3488

Guest
Hi Jon,<br /><br />Link to last post from the other MESSENGER thread, so as<br />to provide continuation.<br /><br />It is a great idea to make the encounter thread a stickie. I for<br />one will be posting here regularly, as & when I can.<br /><br />Image enhanced by Anthmartian on This Island Earth.<br /><br />The 200 KM wide crater Matisse is visible @ the Eight O Clock position.<br /><br />Mercury Encounter 1 visualization tool.<br /><br />MESSENGER has just commenced the final approach Wide Angle Camera mutispectral<br />movie.<br /><br />Hopefully we wil have the final Narrow Angle Camera crescent shortly.<br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />1 Day. <br />6 Hours. <br />2 Minutes. <br />30 Seconds. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>
 
3

3488

Guest
As promised Jon,<br /><br />Latest Mercury approach image taken: Saturday 12th January 2008.<br /><br />Just literally appeared on the MESSENGER site now.<br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />1 Day. <br />4 Hours. <br />58 Minutes. <br />30 Seconds. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>
 
P

Philotas

Guest
SPACE.com article http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080110-messenger-flyby-prep.html<br /><br /><br /><font color="yellow">MESSENGER's Mercury flyby actually begins in earnest around midday Sunday, when the probe will turn itself away from Earth to bring its science instruments to bear on its planetary target. The spacecraft will snap more than 1,200 photographs of Mercury during its first rendezvous while a protective sunshade keeps its cameras and other instruments at room temperature. The sun-facing side of the shade may reach temperatures of 600 degrees Fahrenheit (315 degrees Celsius) or so, researchers said.</font>/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
M

MeteorWayne

Guest
The image Andrew linked to was taken:<br />Image acquired on January 12, 2008, 09:06 UTC. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
3

3488

Guest
My rubbish attempt @ enlargening & enhancing the above image.<br /><br />The Matisse Crater is now on the PM terninator, slowly rotating into the Hermian night.<br /><br />Other craters are becoming more obvious now. If Anthmartian was here, <br />I am sure he would be able to make a lot more out of it.<br /><br />Thank you MeteorWayne for pulling me up on that. I forgot that all, very important detail. I<br />have modified the link.<br /><br />Inspired by the post from Philotas, I have created a view of the Sun from Mercury at the <br />exact moment of the closest approach by MESSENGER to Mercury tomorrow.<br /><br />The solar energy is approx 11,088 watts per square metre on MESSENGER tomorrow. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />1 Day. <br />3 Hours. <br />15 Minutes. <br />10 Seconds. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>
 
F

franontanaya

Guest
This is the best I could get from the last image playing with GIMP.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
3

3488

Guest
Thank you very much FranOntanaya.<br /><br />Your image shows Matisse, Sullivan, Wang Meng, Durer & Vivaldi craters without any doubt.<br /><br />Matisse, Sullivan & Vivaldi are rotating into the Hermian night.<br /><br />I think Beethoven & Bello are the very bright patches right on the limb, coming into view.<br /><br />You made the effort to provide us with a very good image & I have spent some time<br />researching what you have shown.<br /><br />Once again, thank you so very much. I have downloaded your image & like <br />Anthmartian, etc, I always label your images with your identifiers.<br /><br />This is going to be a great encounter, that very fortunately I am going to be able to<br />share with like minded people here with skills far superior to mine.<br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />1 Day. <br />2 Hours. <br />14 Minutes. <br />50 Seconds. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>
 
M

MeteorWayne

Guest
The message from the MESSENGER page:<br /><br />"The accumulated radiometric tracking data gathered since the last maneuver indicated that MESSENGER's current position is within 13 kilometers of the target aim point for the Mercury flyby, and direct optical measurements of the planet over the last four days are confirming this result. "The consistency of the radiometric and optical measurements of the trajectory ensure that the spacecraft is on target for the encounter," explained MESSENGER Mission Systems Engineer Eric Finnegan of APL. The bottom line? Trajectory-correction maneuver (TCM) 21, scheduled for execution on January 13, is not needed."<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
M

MeteorWayne

Guest
This means we will get no more images as the craft will be out of touch with earth for 48 hours or so, unless any have already been sent and are being processed.<br /><br />"MESSENGER is expected to reestablish contact with Earth about midday on Tuesday, 22 hours after the closest Mercury approach, and then beam back images to its eager science team. "<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
M

MeteorWayne

Guest
Less than 24 hours to closest approach. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <br /><br />Edit:<br />And to show that flybys can be used for good or evil <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br />(From the SDC article)<br /><br />"The probe will use the gravitational pull of Mercury to slow its speed by about 5,000 miles per hour (8,046 kph) during the flyby, MESSENGER principal investigator Sean Solomon, of the Carnegie Institution of Washington added."<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
S

soulseekerusa

Guest
I am curious, why go to Mercury? It is a dead world, I mean our moon is more interesting than Mercury. If someone could explain why I would greatly appreciate it.<br />Thanks. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
M

MeteorWayne

Guest
It is the densest of all the planets, lives in the most extreme environment, and might yet harbor water in polar craters.<br />It may be the degassed core of a much larger planet; that might teach us much about the formation of our solar system, and by extension many stellar planetary systems.<br /><br />Besides, shouldn't we visit all the planets, some asteroids and comets?<br /><br />that's my opinion. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
S

soulseekerusa

Guest
I agree 100% that we should visit them all but I can think of many others that I would pick before Mecury. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
M

MeteorWayne

Guest
Well we've been to all the other planets more than once.<br /><br />The last visit to Mercury was 20 years ago. This is only the second visit.<br /><br />In addition to the planets we have probes on the way to two dwarf planets (Pluto and Ceres) and a few asteroids and comets, have multiple probes back to the moon, and we have seen a few other asteroids and comets close up.<br /><br />What else is there to visit in the solar system.<br /><br />We need to understand more about Mercury, as it holds a key to the early history of our solar system.<br /><br />MW<br /><br />PS Welcome to Space.com!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
3

3488

Guest
I agree completely MeteorWayne.<br /><br />Mercury has the greatest proortion of heavy elements, particularly Iron, maybe Nickel, Uranium, etc<br />contained within its giant core.<br /><br />Mercury is a 'Rosetta Stone' of the the terrestrial planets, Earth included. The Moon <br />in many respects also, but Mercury is so very dense & is therefore massive for an object of that size.<br /><br />Why is Mercury so?<br /><br />Mercury has an internally driven magnestosphere. Liquid molten Iron Core?? Molten Iron<br />in motion generates magnetism. <br /><br />Is it an active field or a fossil one (a field frozen in a solid cold core)? <br /><br />Mariner 10 data in 1974 suggests an active one. MESSENGER will reveal more.<br /><br />Mariner 10 imaged only 45% of Mercury in detail. Is that 45% representative of the whole planet,<br />or is the 55% not imaged in such detail hiding massive volcanoes, giant canyons, <br />other impact basins?<br /><br />Mariner 10 showed us a world which at first glance appears lunar. But closer inspection <br />shows that Mercury is very & fundamentally different.<br /><br />There are no Maria, but there are extensive intercrater lava plains.<br /><br />Huge scarps hundreds of kilometeres long, in places, hundreds of metres high run across the surface.<br /><br />Why? Did the interior shrink slightly as it cooled, cracking the crust above.<br /><br />It is far too simplistic to write Mercury off as a completely dead world.<br /><br />I have my doubts about that. Tir Planitia, shows what appears to be dark 'ash', that in time <br />should have been gardened into the regolith through micrometeoriod activity.<br /><br />Also we will have the first high resolution global map of the surface minerology of Mercury.<br /><br />Not only that, the magnetometer data will be tied to the mass data, revealing much about<br />what is going on inside.<br /><br />I am very happy that a seriou <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>
 
3

3488

Guest
Article on Spaceflightnow.com.<br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />0 Day. <br />19 Hours. <br />31 Minutes. <br />00 Seconds. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>
 
C

comga

Guest
"Well we've been to all the other planets more than once.<br />In addition to the planets we have probes on the way to two dwarf planets (Pluto and Ceres)..."<br /><br />Nit to pick: No second visits yet to Uranus & Neptune<br /><br />And if dwarfs are still people, then dwarf planets are still planets! (Regardless of what a bunch of dynamicists say!)<br /><br />However, there is no argument that a return to Mercury is great news and very exciting. <br /><br />11kW/m^2 What a place!
 
3

3488

Guest
Thanks Philotas.<br /><br />Above image enlarged.<br /><br />Vivaldi Crater is right on the terminator.<br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />0 Day. <br />11 Hours. <br />9 Minutes. <br />50 Seconds. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>
 
S

silylene old

Guest
I am hoping the picture resolution improves. Perhaps it is just me, or my unreasonable expectations, but I think Mercury looks more blurry than I was expecting based on other unmanned missions. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Latest posts