Mercury

Latest about Mercury

The European Space Agency released this animation of the BepiColombo spacecraft's final view of Earth, captured on April 10 and April 11, 2020.
This stunning crescent Earth is the last view of home from the Mercury-bound BepiColombo

By Elizabeth Howell Published

The BepiColombo spacecraft headed for Mercury showed off an epic last view of Earth while zooming away from our planet on Friday and Saturday (April 10 and 11).

Mercury
An animation of images captured by cameras on the BepiColombo spacecraft shortly before its closest approach to Earth, on April 10, 2020.
What a view! Mercury probe snaps stunning photos of our planet during Earth flyby.

By Meghan Bartels Published

A spacecraft bound for Mercury beamed home stunning views of Earth during a crucial flyby conducted early today (April 10).

Mercury
An artist's depiction of the BepiColombo spacecraft flying past Earth.
Farewell, Earth! Mercury probe makes successful flyby to head deeper into solar system.

By Meghan Bartels Published

A spacecraft taking the scenic route to Mercury successfully completed a crucial maneuver on its journey: a precisely choreographed swing past Earth.

Mercury
BepiColombo captured its first Earth flyby images on April 9, 2020.
A Mercury probe flies by Earth tonight. Here's how to hitch a VR ride (and maybe see it, too!)

By Elizabeth Howell Published

The European-Japanese BepiColombo mission will whiz past our planet as the spacecraft continues on its long journey toward Mercury.

Mercury
Earth and the moon as seen by BepiColombo on March 5, 2020, as the mission began preparing for its flyby of Earth.
Europe's Mercury-bound BepiColombo will swing past Earth soon! Here's what you need to know.

By Meghan Bartels Published

A mission dubbed BepiColombo is bound for Mercury, but in order to reach its destination, it needs to take the scenic route, beginning with a flyby of Earth later this month.

Mercury
A colorful view of Mercury produced from images taken by the MESSENGER spacecraft.
Did Mercury once have the ingredients for life?

By Chelsea Gohd Published

It's possible that Mercury once held the ingredients for life.

Mercury
Despite Mercury's extreme heat, there is permanent ice at the planet's poles, according to data and images from NASA's MESSENGER probe, which visited Mercury in 2011.
Weird! Mercury's scorching temps may actually lead to ice.

By Elizabeth Howell Published

Could Mercury's close orbit to the sun help the planet generate ice? This sounds like a paradox, but a new study shows how it could happen.

Mercury
During the first half of February, Mercury will complete its best evening appearance for mid-northern latitude observers during 2020, climbing higher in the west-southwestern sky every evening.
How to see the 'elusive planet' Mercury in the night sky in February

By Joe Rao Published

Mercury is often cited as the most difficult of the naked-eye planets to see due its proximity to the sun, but there are times during the year when Mercury can be surprisingly easy to spot.

Mercury
Balanchine crater on Mercury is visible at the center of this image taken by NASA's MESSENGER mission.
How 'The Nutcracker' Choreographer Inspired the Name of Mercury's Tutu-Like Crater

By Doris Elin Urrutia Published

Mercury
Arecibo Observatory gathered radar data of Mercury from July 19 to 24, 2019.
A Radar Station in Puerto Rico Can See Ice on Mercury

By Meghan Bartels Published

There are no hurricanes on Mercury, but there is plenty of water ice — and observing that ice can help scientists deal with the lingering effects of a very terrestrial hurricane.

Mercury
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