MESSENGER Mercury Updates.

Meric · Oct 19, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I saw brilliant Mercury at 6:10 AM this morning (Mag +0.0) just above the horizon after a breezy and cool morning of meteor watching. (7 meteors, 4 were Orionids in 2.5 hours). Creamy Saturn rose a few hours earlier next to the dome of the observatory below Leo. Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV> I do not know much about the sky and what I see, but I arose a few mornings ago to take my dog out before i got ready for work and saw a fairly bright object obove the NE horizon (though this could be incorrect as I'm just trying to go by memory of where is was in reference to the moon).  I assumed it was a planet and just stood there and gazed a bit mesmerized at the fact that I was standing on one planet peering at another.  I was around 6:00ish EST in North Carolina.  Perhaps it was Saturn?  It was the only "star" in the sky other then the moon (which appeared full and was brighter then ever). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Those who never make mistakes, are always led by those who do. </div>

3488 · Oct 19, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I do not know much about the sky and what I see, but I arose a few mornings ago to take my dog out before i got ready for work and saw a fairly bright object obove the NE horizon (though this could be incorrect as I'm just trying to go by memory of where is was in reference to the moon).  I assumed it was a planet and just stood there and gazed a bit mesmerized at the fact that I was standing on one planet peering at another.  I was around 6:00ish EST in North Carolina.  Perhaps it was Saturn?  It was the only "star" in the sky other then the moon (which appeared full and was brighter then ever). Posted by Meric</DIV>Hi Meric,Was the object low down lurking in the twilight, or higher up against a darker sky?If the former, it's Mercury if the latter, Saturn. North Carolina, so you're somewhat further south than Wayne & very much further south than me, so you are far enough south for much of the elongation to translate into altitude as the ecliptic from your location will be fairly steep. It's a difficult one to answer.Perhaps Wayne could do better?Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Oct 19, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hi Meric,Was the object low down lurking in the twilight, or higher up against a darker sky?If the former, it's Mercury if the latter, Saturn. North Carolina, so you're somewhat further south than Wayne & very much further south than me, so you are far enough south for much of the elongation to translate into altitude as the ecliptic from your location will be fairly steep. It's a difficult one to answer.Perhaps Wayne could do better?Andrew Brown.  Posted by 3488</DIV> Yes, undoubtedly it was Mercury. Saturn isn't very bright compared to the stars around it, while Mercury is dazzling. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

Meric · Oct 19, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Yes, undoubtedly it was Mercury. Saturn isn't very bright compared to the stars around it, while Mercury is dazzling. Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV> My thanks to both of you for clearing that up.  I will look tomorrow morning for it so I can give it it's full appreciation. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Those who never make mistakes, are always led by those who do. </div>

3488 · Oct 19, 2008

Hi Anthmartian,Yes I agree, observing Mercury can be dagerous particularly looking for it during the daytime, when the First Rock from the Sun is at it's highest. Telescope with setting circles is safer, provided they are set properly & there is no risk at pointing to the Sun. I have used binoculars successfully to view Mercury during the daytime, with the Sun out of view behind a wall, so no danger there either, also used same method to view Venus in daytime with the naked eye.DIY eh?Have you ever seen the Mr Bean episode where he decorates the sitting room of his flat? He covered all of the furniture  & carpet with blankets, covered light switches, power sockets, light fittings etc with paper, windows with newspaper, stacked two paintpots & taped firework explosives to them. Lit the fuse, went outside & boom.One way of painting the walls I suppose??? <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/1/710b43fc-07dc-4d41-b101-8c42a44cb23f.Medium.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/10/2658bee1-415e-4d54-ba8b-1b45bd3bcedb.Medium.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/13/f1aefd28-d9b4-44c8-bd7d-591c4fb30cdf.Medium.gif" alt="" /> The Canary Islands are ideal for observing near sun objects before dawn & after sunset. In May it really showed that Orion & Sirius were still seeable, despite the Sun having just entered Taurus. Of course the elongation translates into altitude more. From Britain, theyre already gone into the twilight, though from here I can track Sirius till about the 5th May with the naked eye in the twilight, perhaps another few days with binoculars. It's true, we do not easily remember how far north the UK is. We are kept very warm by the Gulf Stream during the year, the weather does not reflect our northerly latitude, but we still get the very long days of Summer, with all night twilights, relatively short Winter days polarisis always very high up with more than half of the northern hemisphere sky being circumpolar, but then most people have no clue.Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 20, 2008

Had a lovely smashing view of Mercury this morning very low down @ 06:35 CET.Very bright, perhaps slightly ahead of Arcturus / Alpha Bootis, which was far to the north, but about the same elevation. Back to MESSENGER.Mercury, A spectacular rayed crater.80 KM wide Rayed Crater on newly imaged terrain outbound. Was spotted by Arecibo Radar imagery, though not nearly at this much higher resolution. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/5/4/f5a938d3-b70e-45de-844e-466385dee48a.Medium.png" alt="" />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 20, 2008

A couple of images I've worked on from today's MESSENGER release. Crop & enlargement of above 80 KM wide crater & surrounding area. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/7/d79b7475-f495-4ab6-b783-ca83d2036420.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  What becomes obvious is that this crater sits inside another depression. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/14/7/3eb292f9-d4cb-4a7d-9740-30840d4dc1b9.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 21, 2008

Highest resolution image from encounter #2.100 metre resoluton. Area on dawn terminator just west of Machaut Crater. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/10/d182daca-5e68-4552-bafe-e0e71f5189d8.Medium.png" alt="" /> Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 22, 2008

Hermean antarctic region, enc #2.This view is from the other side to that viewed on encounter #1. Also this area was imaged by Mariner 10, hense the large number of named features, but with the sun shining from the other way. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/14/0/2e85d701-463c-41b2-b05d-e93ee55f1eae.Medium.png" alt="" />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 23, 2008

MESSENGER images the northern hemisphere 'Gore' Mariner 10 missed.Mariner 10 imaged 45% of Mercury in detail, but a 10% region on the northern hemisphere of the side of Mercury imaged was missed.MESSENGER has now largely filled that gap known informally as the 'Gore'. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/8/27c57724-8d50-4cfe-a8e4-5f6e57f9d632.Medium.png" alt="" />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 23, 2008

Had a go @ cropping & enlargening the large crater, with the partial internal ring of peaks. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/13/c4e96857-665b-48a1-8de3-722ee245d953.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  What I find intersting is if you look carefully, there appears to be a slight ridge running across the floor, also at the 2 O'clock position, near said inner partial ring is a lighter patch, too me looking like an ash deposit??????I have no evidence to say that is true right now (we'll have to wait for multispectral data to either confirm or refute that), but to my eyes, it looks like a massive pyroclastic deposit.Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

neuvik · Oct 23, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Had a go @ cropping & enlargening the large crater, with the partial internal ring of peaks.  What I find intersting is if you look carefully, there appears to be a slight ridge running across the floor, also at the 2 O'clock position, near said inner partial ring is a lighter patch, too me looking like an ash deposit??????I have no evidence to say that is true right now (we'll have to wait for multispectral data to either confirm or refute that), but to my eyes, it looks like a massive pyroclastic deposit.Andrew Brown.  Posted by 3488</DIV> That area you think that looks like an ash deposit certainly looks out of place to the surrounding.  Heres hoping hah. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I don't think I'm alone when I say, "I hope more planets fall under the ruthless domination of Earth!"SDC Boards: Power by PLuck - Ph**king Luck </div>

anthmartian · Oct 24, 2008

Andrew, well spotted, and nice work once again.That lighter area does look out of place. Not just out of place but very different from anything else in the general area. The feature does not look at all defined or sharp in any way, which may suggest some powdering of some kind. Covering an area which would have shown detail if you know what i mean. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away.... Click Here And jump over to my site. </div>

MeteorWayne · Oct 24, 2008

NASA To Release Science Results, Images From Second Mercury Flyby WASHINGTON -- NASA will hold a Science Update at 1 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to announce findings and release new images from the Oct. 6 flyby of Mercury by a NASA spacecraft. The briefing will take place in the television studio at NASA Headquarters, located at 300 E Street, S.W., in Washington. It will be carried live on NASA Television. This second of three planned flybys by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft, or MESSENGER, photographed most of Mercury's remaining unseen surface. The spacecraft passed 125 miles above the planet's cratered surface, taking more than 1,200 pictures and collecting a variety of data. The flyby provided a critical gravity assist needed for the probe to become, in March 2011, the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury. Participants will be: - Marilyn Lindstrom, program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington - Brian Anderson, deputy project scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory - Ronald Vervack, Jr., participating scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory - Maria Zuber, co-investigator and head of the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Mark Robinson, co-investigator and professor at Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Oct 26, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>That area you think that looks like an ash deposit certainly looks out of place to the surrounding.  Heres hoping hah. Posted by neuvik</DIV>Hi neuvik,It certainly does & to me at least at this resolution look like a recent 'deposit' of some sort. It kind of reminds me of the Arrowhead on the Moon, a known pyroclastic or rhyolitic lava formation, of which there is a plenty in Iceland. This small patch on Mercury does at least at this resolution looks vaguely similar. We'll know very much more once the primary orbitalmission commences from March 2011.Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 26, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Andrew, well spotted, and nice work once again.That lighter area does look out of place. Not just out of place but very different from anything else in the general area. The feature does not look at all defined or sharp in any way, which may suggest some powdering of some kind. Covering an area which would have shown detail if you know what i mean. Posted by anthmartian</DIV>Thanks Anth,It caught my attention immediately. You are correct, the feature is not at all well defined at this resolution, certainly pointing to a possible ash / dust type formation, rather than a solid coherent structure such as a lava dome or a small shield, but the resolution is not quite enough to see what the exact nature is & it could still be solid. During the orbital mission, then yes, it will be clear as to the nature of that feature.The positioning is interesting also, being at the very end of the inner partial ring. Whather or nor that is significant, I do not know as yet, but it could be or just a coincidence???? Not really enough to go on right now.Thanks for the reminder Wayne. I must try & get back in time to not miss it. Being an hour earlier than the Phoenix Mars Lander updates so far, makes time a bit tight. Latest update everyone.The Hermean Arctic. As the Hermean Antarctic update last week, this side is opposite that seen back in January, also covering a region already viewed by Mariner 10, but with the sun shining from the other direction. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/8/577e6b9e-ceb1-4ff7-b805-e85acbd0ac3e.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 27, 2008

Today's update.Area approx 600 KM wide showing Lava Plains. Rudaki is approx 120 KM wide. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/4/e9299a4f-0dd1-46e6-b4d9-05c2a3ac8dda.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 28, 2008

Today's update.Equatorial Limb inbound. This view overlaps into the same lava plains released on Wednesday 8th October 2008 & also a scarp in the south on Friday 17th October 2008, this view bridges the gap between. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/12/8/fce7796d-ee4b-49a5-b8ac-9d53685a31a7.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Andrew Brown.   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 29, 2008

Today's updates. Absolutely fascinating.Simultaneous Sodium & Calcium tail measurements. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/11/14/ebc97c8c-fe46-49f0-bee3-1de79e6ebf34.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Latest Hermean maps from Second MESSENGER encounter. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/9/792ad97e-5f39-4d4e-99ea-dd121b9a8eae.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Magnetometer results from Second Mercury Encounter. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/9/c862bbe4-6a8e-4d35-b95d-b061f97a413f.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Hermean Topography from Second encounter. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/13/5/3d48b17d-251f-4f58-a551-77358b5f7b9d.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Mercury in true (left) & enhanced (right) colour. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/4/c7a78e10-9d9f-40da-a42b-47d521fc33be.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 30, 2008

Today's updates.More fascinating stuff.Change in Sodium Tail between Enc #1 & enc #2.Looks like the Sodium signature was considerably stronger this time than back in January. Mercury was facing the other way. Outgassing? Change in solar activity? I suspect it is to do with Mercury. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/8/7438a341-c4a9-4d12-984a-22d5285348a8.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Interactions between Hermean Magnetosphere & the Solar Wind. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/2/d978eac8-3c67-4f62-92a3-57ffd2b44a1c.Medium.jpg" alt="" />First detection of Magnesium in Hermean Exosphere. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/2/8/f251dfe7-33d3-4990-887e-7919aa8ee680.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Wide swathe of Mercury in enhanced colours.Boxed area is entry below this one. These observations will enable mapping of the surface composition of the First Rock from the Sun. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/7/5657af24-94e1-40ce-87f7-cf0b102986f6.Medium.jpg" alt="" />http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Forums/#Close up view in enhanced colours. Thorough examination of which will lead to a better understanding on surface compositions. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/12/a6237b42-2760-4ab3-8cbf-050a89853ee0.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Andrew Brown.   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

neuvik · Oct 30, 2008

Great update Andrew!  Unfortunatly I really can't scour the data till this weekend, swamped with school.  But first thing I'm making a B line for the magnometric data!  I read the mag moment is about the center of axis, and it was only a few percent off than what was anticipated!  thats a good sign!  come on active dual core! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I don't think I'm alone when I say, "I hope more planets fall under the ruthless domination of Earth!"SDC Boards: Power by PLuck - Ph**king Luck </div>

3488 · Oct 30, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Great update Andrew!  Unfortunatly I really can't scour the data till this weekend, swamped with school.  But first thing I'm making a B line for the magnometric data!  I read the mag moment is about the center of axis, and it was only a few percent off than what was anticipated!  thats a good sign!  come on active dual core! Posted by neuvik</DIV>Hi neuvik,Yes indeed. Mariner 10 & MESSENGER back in January passed Mercury generally over the eastern hemisphere (different points, but same hemisphere). MESSENGER this time passed over the Western Hemisphere of Mercury, the first time ever that a spacecraft has done so. The magnetosphere is remarkably symetrical, certainly suggesting to me that Mercury indeed does have a double layered core like Earth & Jupiter's moon Ganymede.I am still awaiting the gravity data also, but to me, the perfectly symetrical magnetosphere does it for me. A single layered convecting core is likely to have density variations, leading to an assymetric magnetosphere, that would follow Mercury's rotation. A double layered core, an outer molten one with a solid inner one is more likely to be symetrical as the inner core will keep the outer one at a unform density (the inner core likely to be slightly despun). Also the magnetosphere does not appear to differ despite the surface features. Also other weird things have come to light. Approx a large area of 30% of the planet is generally smoother than the rest. Why?Radar data from this pass appears to confirm my own theory that Marcury is slightly egg shaped around the equator. In January the altimeter showed the terrain to have an average uphill elevation. This time, Mercury facing the other way, the average elevation was downhill (exactly as I had predicted for a slightly egg shaped body round the waist). Why?More smoother lava plains in the northern hemisphere, where as the southern hemisphere appears less evolved & more cratered. Why? Mercury is turning out a bit stranger than we thought initially. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Oct 31, 2008

Some more great updates today. Movie of receding Mercury. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/14/13/7edc0db9-29ef-4b30-8d14-38ddd4fabf50.Medium.jpg" alt="" />   <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/12/7/fc069148-df77-43bf-a7e4-fa0813f3022b.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> Magnetometer movie. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/5/13/9575f6ea-b2be-41e9-bd90-6e30ab22cf5f.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Radar swathe over Machaut Crater & neighboring areas. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/5/d8baa29d-814a-41c7-95a2-93c53f4e76a5.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Movie of Hermean Exosphere. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/13/2139e686-0969-4030-bd91-aa2949c72ff1.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Enhanced Colour Movie of Mercury's surface. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/15/c74ebe0d-dfd2-42ca-bfa0-6d0dfa479001.Medium.jpg" alt="" />   <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/8/2f30bebb-937d-4214-a8ac-080b021a65cc.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/9/41bdbc43-4d5f-495f-99c2-71a56986b996.Medium.jpg" alt="" />   Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

trailrider · Oct 31, 2008

Fascinating, Captain!

3488 · Nov 11, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Fascinating, Captain! Posted by trailrider</DIV>It is indeed, fantastic. fascinating research indeed. Very long overdue IMO. First update in November 2008.190 KM wide section from The Gore.The finger of terrain in the northern hemisphere missed by Mariner 10 in 1974.The double ringed, lava flooded crater is interesting.  This is a fantastic view of a region of The First Rock from the Sun, never before seen. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/1/415a4989-0af8-496d-a12f-0d7f43337686.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 322 Days. 2 Hours. 23 Minutes.  30 Seconds. Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "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". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MESSENGER Mercury Updates.

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