MESSENGER Mercury Updates.

[3488]

Hi silylene,<br /><br />I guess that MESSENGER was still quite a distance from Mercury at the time. The latest<br />released image is well over 24 hours old, nearly 36 hours old now.<br /><br />I think the close up images will be pin sharp & crystal clear. <br /><br />I would expect & hope that other approach images before MESSENGER turned will<br />be released either today or tomorrow. They will be from closer in, so I would expect them <br />to be clear. <br /><br />I have had problems trying to get the contrast right with my so called enhancements, <br />so that is probably why mine are looking blurry. <br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />0 Day. <br />5 Hours. <br />58 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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

"Nit to pick: No second visits yet to Uranus & Neptune "<br /><br />I knew that <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /><br /><br />Thanx for catching me there <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>

 

[jsmoody]

They mentioned the flyby on the news this morning, but set it might be a few WEEKS before the photos are processed and made available.....WEEKS???? WTF???? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> No amount of belief makes something a fact" - James Randi </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Well it will take quite a while to downlink all the data, there will be a huge amount.<br /><br />IIRC, they have scheduled the release for Jan 30. <br /><br />It's better than ESA, who wait months and seasons before they release data <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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Less than 3 hours to go. Altitude 61,623 km, still taking approach movie images<br /><br />Narrow Angle Camera 1.58 km/pixel<br />Wide Angle Camera 11.03 km/pixel <br /><br />Edit 2:25 to go, altitude < 50,000 km <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]

Why Mercury??<br /><br />The MESSENGER team has a page dedicated to answering this question here <br /><br />To summarize the questions to be answered:<br /><br />Question 1: Why is Mercury so dense?<br /><br />Question 2: What is the geologic history of Mercury?<br /><br />Question 3: What is the nature of Mercury's magnetic field?<br /><br />Question 4: What is the structure of Mercury's core?<br /><br />Question 5: What are the unusual materials at Mercury's poles?<br /><br />Question 6: What volatiles are important at Mercury?<br /><br />For details about the questions, see the page above.<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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Under 2 hours to closest approach<br /><br />Altitude 40,568 km<br /><br />Narrow Angle Camera 1.06 km/Pixel<br /><br />Wide Angle Camera: 7.41 km/[ixel <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>

 

[Philotas]

<font color="yellow">Well it will take quite a while to downlink all the data, there will be a huge amount. <br /><br />IIRC, they have scheduled the release for Jan 30. <br /><br />It's better than ESA, who wait months and seasons before they release data</font><br /><br />Well surely they'll release the first pictures tomorrow...? The first data will arrive 22 hours after closest approach. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

1:45 to closest encounter<br /><br />Altitude 35572 km, about the same as earth's geostationary satellites.<br /><br />Bothe the NAC and WAc are off.<br /><br />Intensive encounter observations start at 43 minutes after this hour. <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]

17:44 UTC<br />1:20 to Closest approach<br />Encounter observations underway.<br /><br />First up (ongoing) is Wide-Angle Camera Color imaging.<br />Altitude 26973 km<br />Disk is 25.2% lit<br />WAC resolution is 5.0 km/pixel.<br /><br />Next comes the UV observation phase; then at 18:10 UT:<br /><br />Narrow-Angle Camera Approach Mosaic<br />55 min to closest approach<br />Disk 22.1% lit<br />NAC Resolution 489 Meters/pixel <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]

1/2 hour to closest approach.<br />Altitude 9317 km.<br /><br />Current observations: UV Spectrometer scan imaging<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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

22 minutes to CA<br />altitude 6125 km<br />UV observations underway, coming up on elipse.<br /><br />Disk 9.1% lit<br /><br />NAC Resolurion 173 M/pixel <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]

18 minutes.<br />UV obs underway<br />NAC 135 M/Pixel, WAC 943 m/Pixel<br />5.9% illuminated. <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]

MESSENGER has entered eclipse; all instruments off, operationg on battery power. 2% of disk is illminated<br /><br />Altitude<br />Minutes from CA: 12<br /><br />If cameras were operating NAC 83 M/Pixel<br />WAC 579 M/pixel <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]

Thanks for the updates MeteorWayne.<br /><br />At least the eclipse is only for 14 minutes.<br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />0 Day. <br />0 Hours. <br />4 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>

 

[3488]

Mercury Laser Altimeter is in operation now. <br /><br />Countdown to closest approach: <br /><br />0 Day. <br />0 Hours. <br />1 Minute. <br />20 Seconds. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <br /> <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]

Closest approach<br /><br />After traveling 2240 million miles in 1259 1/2 days, messenger is<br />200 km above the surface.<br /><br />There are 1158 1/2 days left till orbital insertion<br /><br />0% of the disk is illuminated; the craft is in total eclipse.<br /><br />If the NAC was operating, resolution would be 7.2 M/pixel; WAC 50 M/pixel.<br /><br />Next up is laser altimeter ranging, once the eclipse ends.<br /><br />Just for fun, look at google earth or another such resource and see what your house looks like from 200 km (125 Miles).<br /><br />It gives an interesting perspective <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>

 

[itsfullofstars]

Reading this commentary makes me feel quite excited, I can almost see the probe approaching and then whizzing past mercury. <br /><br />My imaginary fly by always seems to be accompanied by a rumbling noise tho’…….. strange.<br /><br />Thanks for the updates guys.<br />

 

[3488]

MESSENGER has now passed closest approach & is now 884 KM above the Hermian surface. <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]

Eclipse Over.<br /><br />Laser Altimeter back on (hopefully).<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]

WAC mosiac commencing.<br /><br />MESSENGER now 1,767 KM above Mercury's surface.<br /><br />Mercury is now a 35% crescent.<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]

Laser altimeter observations should have ended, now that >40 of the disk is illuminited, the next task is a series of 4 Wide-Angle Camera observations.<br /><br />Altitude is ~ 2000 km.<br /><br />resolution is ~ 500 M/pixel.<br /><br />Edit, for comparison, Meteor Crater would cover a bit more than a pixel.<br /><br />Another good google test <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]

WAC mosiac commencing. <br /><br />MESSENGER now 2,465 KM above Mercury's surface. <br /><br />Mercury has reached First Quarter phase. <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]

WAC mosiac continuing. <br /><br />MESSENGER now 3,036 KM above Mercury's surface. <br /><br />Mercury has reached 60% gibbous phase. <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]

Switching from WAC to NAC.<br /><br />MESSENGER now 3,574 KM above Mercury's surface. <br /><br />Mercury has reached 64% gibbous phase. <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>