MESSENGER Mercury Updates.

[jsmoody]

Is it my imagination or does it seem that Mercury has more than the usual number of....straight lines of craters? (not sure what else to call them). Several craters, all about the same size, in a straight or nearly straight line. Like maybe an asteroid broke into several pieces before impacting. Lots of bodies in the Solar System have a <i>few</i> of these, but Mercury seems to have more than it's share. Any explanation? (or is it my imagination?) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> No amount of belief makes something a fact" - James Randi </div>

 

[3488]

Hi jsmoody,<br /><br />No I do not think that it is your imagination. I am slowly looking through the images myself &<br />yes, you are correct. <br /><br />I am at a loss to explain it totally, but IMO, the impactors must have broken <br />up in to similarly sized pieces. <br /><br />I am not an authority on that, MeteorWayne will know <br />far more than I do & most <br />likely have the correct theory, that will be proven so. But cursory visual inspection, does<br />seem to suggest that Mercury has more than its fair share. Can't help but<br />think, proximity to the Sun has something to do with this.<br /><br />The Jupiter moons Ganymede & Callisto sport a few crater chains on the Jupiter <br />facing hemispheres, where comets & asteroids have been disrupted by Jupiter's<br />immense gravity (Comet Shoemaker Levi 9 being <br />a prime example) & the<br />fragmented comet / asteroid impacts Ganymede or Callisto, leaving<br />said crater chains.<br /><br />Perhaps we are seeing similar here, but with the Sun disrupting said comets & asteroids & <br />Mercury being at the receiving end.<br /><br />Thats my take on it.<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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

It is possible that many of the chains o' craters are secondary craters from a larger impact.<br /><br />Unlike the moon, with it's much lower gravity, Mercury tends to keep objects blasted off the surface nearby, wheras on the moon, the boulders travel a long distance, or depart for points unknown (like earth)<br /><br />So they come back to the surface and roll. Objects blasted off the surface of Mercury don't make it very far, it's almost impossible that any of them escaped.<br /><br />That is far different than Mars or the Moon, where we know meteorites that come from those places have been recovered on earth.<br /><br />MW <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>

 

[3488]

Cheers MeteorWayne,<br /><br />I thought that you would come up with a more plausible explanation. <br /><br />Yes Mercury's gravity is pretty strong for an object of that size.<br /><br />Earth: 100%.<br />Venus: 93%.<br />Mars: 37.8%<br /><br />Mercury. 37.7%<br />Ganymede. 14.6%.<br />Titan. 14.1%<br />Callisto. 11.7%.<br /><br />Io. 18.2%.<br />Moon: 16.7%<br />Europa: 14.0%<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>

 

[3488]

An appetizer for the Monday 6th October 2008 encounter with Mercury.<br /><br />1). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 07:30 UT. <font color="orange">The Skinakas Basin will appear during <br />this phase of the encounter, north of the equator</font><br /><br />2). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 08:00 UT.<br /><br />3). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 08:30 UT.<br /><br />4). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 09:00 UT <font color="orange">MESSENGER will be in eclipse</font><br /><br /><font color="yellow">N.B, the blank area shown in shadow during approach was <br />imaged on: Monday 14th January 2008, The sunlit crescent will be newly imaged, <br />previously unseen terrain</font><br /><br />5). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 09:15 UT.<br /><br />6). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 09:30 UT.<br /><br />7). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 09:45 UT.<br /><br />8). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 10:00 UT.<br /><br />9). View of Mercury from MESSENGER @ 10:15 UT.<br /><br /><font color="yellow">N.B, the blank area shown in sunlight post closest approach will be <br />newly imaged terrain, previously unseen. Also that bloody annoying finger of unimaged<br />terrain in the northern hem</font> <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>

 

[stupidlaminatedrock]

I think what causes the chains is pretty simple. Alot of asteroid belt rocks that are disupted and thrown into the inner solar system are made mostly of water ice and rock. They tend to break apart as they get closer to the sun and form trains almost like SL9. <br /><br /><br />also ya im new and this is my first post. Ive been lurking for years tho. <br /><br />I would like to take the time thank 3488 for his wonderful work in retouching photo's. They are really inspiring and his works have made there way into all the screensavers in our office.<br /><br />

 

[JonClarke]

Welcome to SDC and de lurking!<br /><br />Whaat stupid laminated rock did you have in mind when you chose your name? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Jon <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>

 

[3488]

Welcome stupidlaminatedrock!!<br /><br />What an identifier. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <br /><br />Thank you very much for your compliments. Dunno what to say.<br /><br />I am not the image expert. Anthmartian, rlb2, swampcat, FranOntanaya, etc<br />are far far better than I am. I've gotta long way to go yet. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><br /><br />Anyway, I have enlarged, increased the contrast & sharpened up the <br />40 KM wide crater in the centre of The Spider. Trying to make sense of it.<br /><br />Also here I have enlarged, cropped & sharpened the 40 KM wide crater & the <br /> central dark aureole of The Spider.<br /><br />IMO, the impact definately struck a pre-existing volcanic feature, of that I have no doubt.<br /><br />What is obvious, are the 'column like' striations in the northern wall of the crater. <br /><br />I do not know if its real or due to the viewing angle, but the western & northern crater <br />walls are far taller then the southern & eastern walls.<br /><br />Also the linear features outside of the crater appear to be radiating from the dark aureole, <br />rather than the crater itself. <br /><br />This might back up my suspicion that some of these are indeed collapsed pre-existing <br />lava tubes.<br /><br />Dunno really if I'm barking up the right tree, with my so called post encounter <br />scientific analysis??<br /><br />Countdown to 2nd closest approach: Monday 6th October 2008. <br /><br />244 Days. <br />13 Hours. <br />25 Minutes. <br />45 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>

 

[franontanaya]

I didn't understand either the look of that side of the crater. I think it can be an artifact, the whole image has this chalk and charcoal look. <br /><br />Things that jump to my eyes: <br /><br />- the shape of the rim is curved in a very plastic way;<br /><br />- the spider lines at the NW quarter look washed compared with the other, also the crater count is lower; the SE side has very faint lines, and an high crater count.<br /><br />- the area beyond the edge of the crater looks fuzzy and free of impacts; the big channels look disturbed.<br /><br />- at 2 o'clock, the crater rim doesn't look continuous.<br /><br />- the lower big line seems to have followed the path of a previous, curved one during a short distance, like opening through a weak point, and then left it to continue down.<br /><br />- the SE big channel ends abruptly or becomes extremely faint at that albedo discontinuity.<br /><br />It's like if parts of the spider formed at different moments. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

Destickying leaving the thread to sink or swim.<br /><br />Jon <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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Aha, sending us a MESSAGE, eh <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <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>

 

[stupidlaminatedrock]

swim thread <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />why thanks guys. a warm welcome indeed. 3488. kind of an odd name, dont kid yourself. you do some great work. You and anthmarthan. Like I said the only screensavers I allow by my office staff are your wonderful awesome Saturn touch up's. <br /><br />As for my name. It kind of fits coincidentally. its been my online name forever now.

 

[MeteorWayne]

you stupidlaminatedrock, you <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Welcome from Meteor Wayne.<br /><br />And in case you were going to ask, most meteorites are not laminated in the traditional sense, although the crystals do align in metallic meteorites; that pattern can be brought out with techniques to highlight it.<br /><br />I know, I know, more information than you wanted. You'll get used to that <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

You think you did <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <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>

 

[3488]

The first update for a few days.<br /><br />Geological architecture of Mercury. Sullivan Crater & surrounding area.<br /><br />I was hoping that more science images would be released & the site not go quiet till<br />October. There is plenty of material from this encounter for daily releases till <br />the October encounter.<br /><br />Preparations already underway for the October encounter.<br /><br />Countdown to 2nd closest approach: Monday 6th October 2008. <br /><br />242 Days. <br />11 Hours. <br />50 Minutes. <br />25 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>

 

[brellis]

If you re-unsticky this thread, would you mind unlocking the original MESSENGER thread? I started that thread before I invented the internet. <img src="/images/icons/cool.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[3488]

Hi Brad,<br /><br />I think this thread still has some life in it yet. Would still expect further science <br />images & data to appear.<br /><br />I have had a go at enlarging & sharpening the lava plains north west of Sullivan Crater.<br /><br />Cropped & enlarged Sullivan Crater.<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>

 

[3488]

Latest update,<br /><br />One month since Mercury encounter. <font color="orange">350 KM wide region</font><br /><br />Countdown to 2nd closest approach: Monday 6th October 2008. <br /><br />234 Days. <br />19 Hours. <br />51 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>

 

[3488]

Had a go @ enlargening the 200 KM wide lava filled crater from today's<br />update. <br /><br />Also the monolith looking feature within the lava filled crater with the <br />shadow. 20 KM wide area with a hill. <br /><br />It is a hill, the northern slope the same shade as the surrounding plains, hence looking like a <br />monolith on the original.<br /><br />These images are amazing, MESSENGER is definately up to the task ahead. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />Countdown to 2nd closest approach: Monday 6th October 2008. <br /><br />234 Days. <br />14 Hours. <br />50 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>

 

[franontanaya]

Craters with Dark Halos on Mercury <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[3488]

Thank you very much FranOntanaya.<br /><br />I see we're still here.<br /><br />An interesting update indeed, (there has not been a boring one yet) well spotted. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />I have had a go at cropping & enlarging the 100 KM wide haloed crater, the subject<br />of today's update.<br /><br />It looks like the MESSENGER team are doing a weekly update, much like the MRO HiRISE<br />team.<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>

 

[h2ouniverse]

Franontanya, Andrew, Hi...<br /><br />Just a silly brainstorm:<br />Could the dark deposit be similar to the famous mystery matter splashing the saturnian moons? E.g. a tar-covered comet splash?<br /><br />I wonder how much heat the dark iapetan deposit is able to withstand...<br /><br />Regards.

 

[3488]

Hi Joel,<br /><br />I do not think that's unreasonable. A carbon rich 'splat' like that would persist for far longer<br />than any volatiles. <br /><br />A tarry deposit would be left behind. Under such an intense Sun, it could be baked into either<br />a hard slag or into a fine powder.<br /><br />Interesting question about the dark crud on Iapetus being able to wistand high temeratures.<br /><br />I do not know, but my guess is the same, either a hard slag or carbon rich powder, left<br />behind aftrer the volatiles are driven off.<br /><br />Countdown to 2nd closest approach: Monday 6th October 2008. <br /><br />227 Days. <br />16 Hours. <br />58 Minutes. <br />15 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>

 

[3488]

Another couple of crops from today's update.<br /><br />Two 80 KM wide craters, the eastern one deeper, terraced & dark haloed.<br /><br />Approx 300 KM wide area of smoothish lava plain.<br /><br />Countdown to 2nd closest approach: Monday 6th October 2008. <br /><br />227 Days. <br />13 Hours. <br />17 Minutes. <br />55 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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

We should be back by then <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <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>