MESSENGER Mercury Updates.

3488 · Nov 18, 2008

This week's update.700 KM wide region, outbound showing the 343 KM wide lava filled crater Raphael. Although seen before by Mariber 10 in 1974, this time Raphael was seen near the dawn terminator, revealing much detail, whereas Mariner 10 imaged Raphael, under a high Sun, making detail harder to see. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/13/13/fd1fc61c-67b6-4ccb-bd52-9c30eb66a57f.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 314 Days. 23 Hours. 20 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>

3488 · Nov 26, 2008

Second set of craters from first encounter named.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 · Nov 26, 2008

A Rupes & a Ray. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/2/2/12917b3e-ef12-4160-82b3-71bde7a434aa.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 306 Days. 22 Hours. 8 Minutes.  15 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>

3488 · Dec 3, 2008

260 KM wide section of newly imaged terrain, just north of equator, outboundThe larger dark crater approx 60 KM wide is interesting. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/0/c1a451f2-44b0-4ff5-9064-b100b8b90aa5.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 300 Days. 1 Hour. 19 Minutes.  45 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>

3488 · Dec 9, 2008

Today's update is from the first encounter. Say Aloha to Nawahi!Nawahhi a 34 KM wide crater just inside the NW rim od the Caloris Basin. This entire entire area was in darkness during October's pass & will be again during the pass next September, but was excellently placed in January. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/13/5/8dc1e06e-0e6d-435c-95eb-0cb34c9a097b.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 293 Days.  23 Hours.  39 Minutes.  45 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>

MeteorWayne · Dec 9, 2008

And lets not forget, some of the results will be discussed at the AGU meeting a week from now. There hould be a lot of new stuff during the next few days. I can't wait!!! <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 · Dec 9, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>And lets not forget, some of the results will be discussed at the AGU meeting a week from now. There hould be a lot of new stuff during the next few days. I can't wait!!! Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>I second that Wayne. It promises to be absolutely fascinating. There's going to be tons of stuff Wayne, I can promise you that much.Mercury, the Rosetta Stone of the inner Solar System, will really tell us so much about the evolution of the terrestrial planets & also how Mercury ended up in weird street like that. Is it an exposed lower mantle of a larger terrestrial planet, or did it form like that, etc?I cannot wait either. Hopefully I'll be feeling better by then, certainly enough to really appreciate it. I'll be monitoring the MESSENGER site regularly & will bring updates as & when I can. 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 · Dec 9, 2008

MESSENGER successfully completes two part Deep Space Maneuver. MESSENGER needs to do no more in order to make the third encounter next September. Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 293 Days. 23 Hours. 22 Minutes.  45 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>

MeteorWayne · Dec 9, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>MESSENGER successfully completes two part Deep Space Maneuver. MESSENGER needs to do no more in order to make the third encounter next September. Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 293 Days. 23 Hours. 22 Minutes. 45 Seconds.Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV> Thanx for keeping us up to date! <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 · Dec 15, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Thanx for keeping us up to date! Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>You're very welcome Wayne.I am back with a few more bits.Last frame in high res colour mosaic. Big bright ray system. Departure mosaics from second enounter. Newly discovered 700 KM wide basin. Newly imaged area rotating into the night. Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 288 Days. 1 Hour. 56 Minutes.  45 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>

3488 · Dec 23, 2008

Looking back at 2008 with MESSENGER.A nice resume of what we have learnt this year about Mercury from the spectacular encounters back in January & October. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/9/c89bcf8f-6c5e-4f6c-8928-879ac84dd398.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 280 Days. 7 Hours. 5 Minutes.  15 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>

3488 · Dec 29, 2008

MESSENGER enters 4th Solar Conjunction. Friday 26th December 2008 to Friday 9th January 2009. Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 274 Days. 2 Hours. 17 Minutes.  45 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>

3488 · Jan 5, 2009

106 KM wide Amaral Crater in area approx 742 KM across. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/0/c17175a1-60ad-429f-90b5-5f7e63a68591.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 267 Days.  2 Hours.  55 Minutes.  45 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>

3488 · Jan 5, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>From Astronomy  Now: http://www.astronomynow.com/mercurysspiderformationlinkedtoasteroidimpact.html Mercury’s ‘spider’ formation linked to asteroid impactBY DR EMILY BALDWIN ASTRONOMY NOWPosted: September 23, 2008The radiating web of troughs seen emanating from a crater th..................... Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>Hi Wayne,Finally getting round to responding to your fascinating post & hope that you are having a great start to 2009.Ti me it appears as if the Pantheon Fossae is centered on that dark triangular lava feature, rather than the prominent 41 KM wide  Apollodorus Crater (which IMO looks like a later feature).I wonder if the dark 'traingle' is a lava dome & Apollodorus Crater impact exploited the lines of weakness in the lava creating collapses along those lines?Another thing to me IMO only, the Pantheon Fossae looks like lava tubes, not too unlike those seen on Pavonis Mons on Mars. Did the impactor that created Apolloduros Crater land squarely on the central volcano (doubtful owing to the odds of such a bulls eye)? To me that seems most unlikely.We'll know much more after Mercury Orbital Insertion in March 2011 (during encounter # 3 this September, the whole of Caloris will in darkness with Mecrury being oriented with respect to the Sun differently by only three degrees to the east as compared to October 2008). <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/1/486eb415-8c56-45b2-919f-fabfae9f4bcf.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 267 Days.  0 Hours.  27 Minutes.  45 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>

3488 · Jan 14, 2009

Steep tall rupes running through 250 KM wide lava flooded crater. This image was obtained 55 minutes prior to periherm, so this is a newly discovered feature on terrain never before seen on Mercury. The resolution is approx 420 metres across on the full sized image & at once it is very apparent that there are so few small craters within the lava flooded one. I do not know about anyone else, but I think the presence of that very lofty ridge through the lava flooded crater together with the lack of small impact craters on that lava flooded surface is more than just a coincidence. IMO, volcanic activity in places on Mercury carried on for far longer than suggested by Mariner 10 observations which appeared to show an 'older' face the much of the newly imaged terrain seen since by MESSENGER. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/14/14/3e7d6064-28c8-407c-8e74-eb0ebfe4d6da.Medium.jpg" alt="" />My crop & enlargement of 250 KM wide crater & scarp. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/0/5/b0e3f95b-fdd8-49c4-a5d2-d7055302bad7.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 258 Days. 1 Hour. 19 Minutes.  45 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>

3488 · Jan 28, 2009

Equatorial volcanic lava plains on Mercury.Mosaic below shows the lava plains in full. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/0/afa363b5-fac9-4442-80a9-a13d472f3ac0.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> A small dark patch within a 90 KM wide impact crater. Area shown is 270 KM wide, crater with dark patch towards bottom right. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/0/298583b9-3bb9-4144-9096-2e3af1246f35.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> My own crop & enlargement of 90 KM wide crater. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/5/4f93ef70-de63-4dc8-b5fd-67fdaf01688b.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 244 Days. 0 Hour. 11 Minutes.  00 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>

brandbll · Jan 29, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Equatorial volcanic lava plains on Mercury.Mosaic below shows the lava plains in full. A small dark patch within a 90 KM wide impact crater. Area shown is 270 KM wide, crater with dark patch towards bottom right. My own crop & enlargement of 90 KM wide crater.  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 244 Days. 0 Hour. 11 Minutes. 00 Seconds.Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV> Andrew, good to see you posting again.  I have a couple of questions:1. Why does that 90 KM crater look so odd?  Just a shadow effect, or is it really as deep as it looks to me?2.  When you say countdown to 3rd closest approach do you mean 3rd closest as in number of times we have approached Mercury or do you mean 3rd closest as in distance wise? Thanks for the help.Brandon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> You wanna talk some jive? I'll talk some jive. I'll talk some jive like you've never heard! </div>

3488 · Jan 29, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Andrew, good to see you posting again.  I have a couple of questions:1. Why does that 90 KM crater look so odd?  Just a shadow effect, or is it really as deep as it looks to me?2.  When you say countdown to 3rd closest approach do you mean 3rd closest as in number of times we have approached Mercury or do you mean 3rd closest as in distance wise? Thanks for the help.Brandon Posted by brandbll</DIV>Cheers Brandon,It's great to be back after being quite ill for a little while.That crater does look deep, it's difficult to be sure, but based on positioning & illumination, ti me, it does look deep, certainly a few KM deep. The dark region on the middle looks like impact melt to me that had solidifield.We'll know much more when the global radar altimetry is carried out post the March 2011 orbital insertion.The countdown is your first suggestion. It will be the third time that MESSENGER will pass close to Mercury & carry out scientific observations. This third pass wll be slower than the previous two (as the October 2008 pass was slower than the January 2008 one).The pass this September will slow MESSENGER enough so that when MESSENGER approaches Mercury for the forth time in March 2011, the approach will be slow enough for MESSENGER to brake into a highly elliptical 85 degree inclination orbit around the First Rock from the Sun. The September pass, will see Mercury more or less as illuminated as back in October, only a three degree difference to the West.So the second pass in October has allowed planetary & mission scientists to cherry pick observations for the pass this September. I have submitted some requests myself (I am not a professional, but am still very interested & care very much none the less), but we'll see. 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 · Feb 3, 2009

38 KM wide Enwonwu Crater. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/3/4/73d00d87-381e-498a-94f5-8676f2e2f993.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 238 Days.  2 Hours.  38 Minutes.  00 SecondsAndrew 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 · Feb 11, 2009

A couple of fascinating updates this week. Lava, craters & scarps. MESSENGER continues to search for vulcanoids as another perihelion is reached @ 0.31 AU. Simulated view of Sun from MESSENGER. Monday 9th February 2009 @ 14:30 HRS UTC @ Perihelion. 46.318 Million KM. Note the Sun which appears just over three times wider than from Earth is just to the NW of Antares / Alpha Scorpii. MESSENGER was receiving almost 12KW per square metre at this time. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/3/12/33acd7c7-c687-4872-9c31-22460acb3105.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 230 Days. 2 Hours. 5 Minutes.  15 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>

MeteorWayne · Feb 11, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>A couple of fascinating updates this week. Lava, craters & scarps. MESSENGER continues to search for vulcanoids as another perihelion is reached @ 0.31 AU. Simulated view of Sun from MESSENGER. Monday 9th February 2009 @ 14:30 HRS UTC @ Perihelion. 46.318 Million KM. Note the Sun which appears just over three times wider than from Earth is just to the NW of Antares / Alpha Scorpii. MESSENGER was receiving almost 12KW per square metre at this time.  Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 230 Days. 2 Hours. 5 Minutes. 15 Seconds. Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV> Interesting note about the Vulcanoid search. For the life of me I can't wrap my head around how there could be a stable location for such objects considering Mercury's highly eccentric orbit, high inclination to the rest of the solar system, and any such objects would be buffeted by solar flares, solar radiation (Yarkofsky effect, etc), CME's and other fun stuff that goes on in that environment.I'll have to do more research. <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 · Feb 11, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Interesting note about the Vulcanoid search. For the life of me I can't wrap my head around how there could be a stable locati........... Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>Hi Wayne,I too am sceptical & have said so before. It is thought that there is maybe a stable zone only 0.17 AU or 25.5 million KM from the Sun.So lets see.36 times the solar radiation as @ Earth orbit or approx 47.5 KW per square metre. Unless these objects are white, or in highly eccentric orbits then my guess is that they would be reduced to being blobs of lava, unless someone else knows otherwise.As you say, the Zarkofsky effect would be very pronounced, unless the asteroid is too large & massive to be affected, but then I think an object like that would have been found by now. Anyhow, it is an interesting search none the less & is giving MESSENGER something to do in the interim & will learn much more about the near Sun environment. I think myself that vulcanoids do not exist, though asteroids with low perihelia like 1566 Icarus, 3200 Phaethon & 5786 Talos do enter this region. but only stay a short time during each orbit.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 · Feb 17, 2009

550 KM wide scene. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/11/4/4b398b11-7414-4d13-8465-e62489ca117d.Medium.jpg" alt="" />   Showing craters Munch, Sander & Poe along with the north rim of Caloris. Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009. 224 Days.  1 Hour.  30 Minutes.  45 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>

3488 · Feb 27, 2009

Re: Second MESSENGER Flyby of Mercury [Oct 6, 2008]

This week's update.

Rough & tumble world.

Note how this part of Mercury looks very lunar, with the crater floors exhibiting many smaller craters. Mariner 10 imaged this area under a high Sun, MESSENGER caught close to the dawn terminator.

Countdown to 3rd closest approach: Tuesday 29th September 2009.

214 Days.
6 Hours.
20 Minutes.
15 Seconds.

Andrew Brown.

3488 · Mar 4, 2009

Re: First Messenger flyby of Mercury

Hi every one,

A very different MESSENGER observation this week.

One frame from the Vulcanoid search, on Wednesday 4th June 2008.

Article here.

The planet Jupiter is clearly visible in this MESSENGER image as is the star Nunki / Sigma Sagittari as is much of the Teapot asterism of Sagittarius.

No vulcanoids were detected.

Countdown to encounter #3. Tuesday 29th September 2009.

209 Days.
8 Hours.
15 Minutes.
15 Seconds.

Andrew Brown.

MESSENGER Mercury Updates.

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