Explore Mercury from Messenger spacecraft

After nearly three months in orbit, much information about Mercury was sent to the Earth by Messenger. In addition, the new mystery about the planet near the Sun is also gradually emerging.

Messenger ship approached Mercury's surface

Messenger spacecraft into orbit Mercury on 18 - 3 years, collect information about Mercury, sent to Earth. Dozens of images of planets have been clearly recorded. The proportion of chemical components on Mercury's surface has enabled astronomers to address the origin of planets and their geological history.

Topographic and magnetic maps surrounding the planets provide new evidence of Mercury's inner workings.

Now the scientist confirms that the energy particle explosions inside Mercury are the result of the continuous interaction of the magnetic field between Mercury and the solar wind.

1. Reveal Mercury's surface

Mercury's surface is full of craters

Images of Mercury surface that Messeger ship sent, showed countless craters. The upper part of the photo can see Debussy crater (diameter measuring 80 km). The bottom part of the photo is the area near Mercury's southernmost tip - an area that has never been seen before. Around these sores there are many diffused light.

Scientists are still debating the origin of the " wounds " on Mercury's surface and only initially comment that these holes are " very young ". Experts also predict that there will be more deep holes on Mercury's surface.

2. Composition of Mercury surface

Mercury topographic map

X-ray spectrometer (XRS) - one of the two tools on the Meseger spacecraft has 'excavated' many important things since the ship entered orbit. The components are arranged in pairs: Magnesium / Silicon, Aluminum / Silicon, Silicon / Calcium have the same average rate. Unlike the surface of the Moon, Mercury's surface does not have much rock.

XRS has discovered a quantity of sulfur on Mercury. This finding shows that the origin of Mercury's surface is composed of mercury (located in sulfur), thus less oxidizing than substances on Earth. This is of great significance for understanding the nature of volcanoes on the surface of Mercury.

3. Topographic map of Mercury and the magnetic field around it

Magnetic field in Antarctica and Arctic Mercury

The Messenger has set up a topographic map of the northern Mercury hemisphere thanks to the altimeter system. More than two million different lasers have been used to observe geological details on them but not exceeding 9km.

Two decades ago, Earth Radar gave images around Mercury and the South Pole of Mercury. The images from Radar show, there is water and ice exists on it. Currently, the Messenger ship is testing to measure the depth of the holes on Mercury. To date, the depths of these holes are thought to be relatively suitable for sustainable dark areas.

4. Energy particles on Mercury

Location of energy particles related to explosions on Mercury

One of the first discoveries about Mercury by Mariner 10 spacecraft. On March 29, 1974, Mariner10 flew over Mercury's surface at a distance of 756 km, becoming the first explorer ship to approach this planet. The observations of Mariner10 show that Mercury's surface has a very thin atmosphere with a mostly helium component.

The four explosions this ship showed, the energy particles in Mercury are similar to the energy particles on Earth. Currently, Messenger ships are in Mercury orbit so it is possible to detect all energy explosions easily.

Sean Solomon of the Carnegie Space Research Institute (Washington, USA) said: ' The important milestones of Mercury are the great merits of Messenger. We are collecting all information about the nature and process of Mercury. Hopefully many surprises about Mercury as well as the solar system will soon be opened . '