The MESSENGER spacecraft has begun beaming back its first images of Mercury, revealing more detailed features of the planetary surface than have every been captured before.
The above image, and others released today were taken as part of the initial orbiting procedure underway for the probe. On April 4 MESSENGER will begin to completely map the surface of the innermost planet of our solar system.
Many of the initial images paint the tiny world as being quite similar to our Moon, and indeed the surface features are very akin to our nearest neighbor. Most of the differences to be found between the two bodies are likely to lie below the surface, information about which MESSENGER will attempt to extract during its mission.
Over the coming weeks and months MESSENGER will reveal some of Mercury's deepest (literally) secrets. And what it finds will hopefully lead scientists to better understand the formation and evolution of not only the tiniest of worlds, but the entire solar system in which we inhabit.
Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
Comments
Dear John, thanks for sharing with us one man`s greatest acheivements, the exploration of outer space, which shows there`s no limit for man in reaching his goals. I just wish most people were aware of the compicated math, physics, rocketery, guiding systems, nanotech, super distances, patience and loving dedication to explore nature the way some scientists and engineers do at NASA. Science, since cave men first experimented in firemaking has been worthwhile. Mankind is to conquer the universe! Oscar Luja.
This is an amazing photograph of the first rock from the sun in our fabulous solar system. I am amazed at the number of craters that can be seen in the photo. This is a proud day for everyone involved with the MESSENGER space craft, NASA, JPL, Scientists, Engineers and everyone working on the mission project and supporting this type of achievements. A special thanks to John P. Millis, Ph.D., for this amazing photograph. I am still totally convinced that our future lies within deep space. Space exploration and discovery by mankind should always be paramount. – Joe Smith