Mercury – Facts and Information about the Planet Mercury

NASA's original mission control Hidden Figures

NASA's Historic First Mission Control Center Recreated for 'Hidden Figures'

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 10 January 17

John Glenn's 1962 Re-Entry: Film and Audio Synchronized to Mark His Death

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 20 December 16

How John Glenn Drew the First Orbital Flight

By Amy Shira-Teitel published 9 December 16

For John Glenn, being the first American to orbit the Earth on Feb. 20, 1962 was a stroke of luck.

John Glenn Memorialized with 'Godspeed' Radio Hail Turned Hashtag

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 9 December 16

John Glenn's Mercury mission was the first American space flight around the world.

1st American in Orbit: How John Glenn (And NASA) Made History (Infographic)

By Karl Tate published 8 December 16

See how John Glenn's Mercury mission put the first American in orbit in 1962 in this SPACE.com infographic.

Weird Landscape Shows That Mercury's No 'Dead' Planet

By Elizabeth Howell published 30 November 16

Although NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft is dead, the Mercury mission's data lives on.

'Great Valley' on Mercury Points to Shrinking Planet

By Mike Wall published 17 November 16

Astronomers have discovered a large valley on Mercury that provides further evidence for the planet's shrinkage — an odd phenomenon that has been the topic of debate for decades.

Mercury appears to experience quake-like activity as it shrinks, making it tectonically active just like Earth, scientists say.

Mercuryquakes May Currently Shake Up the Tiny Planet

By Charles Q. Choi last updated 18 October 22

Mercury may still rumble with earthquakes, or "mercuryquakes," according to evidence found in cliffs on the planet's surface.

Mercury Greatest Elongation and Moon Sept. 28 2016 at 6 a.m.

Elusive Planet? See Mercury at Its Best This Month

By Joe Rao published 13 September 16

Mercury has a reputation for being hard to spot. But skywatchers have a great chance to see the small, fast-moving planet this month.

Mercury Mystery Solved: Scientists Decode Planet's Weird Surface

By Samantha Mathewson published 29 August 16

"Time For Kids" magazine and Slooh Community Observatory

Live Webcast Helps Kids Spot Planetary 'High 5' Tonight: How to Watch

By Elizabeth Howell published 16 August 16

How to Spot Mercury and the Solar System's 'Racetrack' Using Mobile Apps

By Chris Vaughan published 12 August 16

Mercury has several craters scattered across its surface. The Caloris basin — one of the planet's largest craters — is the bright, circular deposit seen in the upper center of this image. Within this crater lies an enormous, effusive volcanic deposit that

Mercury's Violent Volcanoes Shut Off 3.5 Billion Years Ago

By Samantha Mathewson published 9 August 16

Rare Meteorites May Explain Mercury's Puzzling Surface Features

By Calla Cofield published 21 July 16

A rare type of meteorite found on Earth may have been a critical ingredient in the geologic recipe that shaped the surface of Mercury, new research shows.

Saturn Seen in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

The Brightest Planets in July's Night Sky: How to See them (and When)

By Joe Rao published 1 July 16

With a little bit of patience — and luck — you'll be able to glimpse the five brightest naked-eye planets during this month.

'Heroes & Legends' Astronaut Attraction to Include Videos Shared by Public

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 20 June 16

Once in a Long While | Space Wallaper

By Space.com Staff published 15 June 16

Across a 100 year time frame, Mercury passes between Earth and our Sun only 13 or so times.

Photographer Snaps Epic View of Space Station and Mercury Crossing the Sun

By Shannon Hall published 6 June 16

Ohio Airport Renamed for Original Mercury Astronaut John Glenn

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 31 May 16

Rare Mercury Transit Thrills Skywatchers Around the World (Photos)

By Mike Wall published 10 May 16