The Exotic Mercury's surface

NASA/The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Car

NASA plane that surrounds the Mercury sent the photos reveal some surprises about the smallest planet in the Solar System.

According to scientists Messenger Brett Denevi photographs sent planes Messenger makes scientists could see Mercury in full for the first time. "Amazing, no volcanic plains area of ​​4 million square kilometers," he said. Almost half the vast size of the United States. The researchers confirmed that the volcanic activity that formed the crust and surface of Mercury.

Spectrometer measurement results show very high levels of sulfur on the surface of Mercury. "This guide helps to understand the formation of Mercury," explained the researchers.

About the possibility of water on Mercury - Mercury's surface has an average temperature of 450 degrees Celsius - the result of scanning planes Messenger can not be sure. The data obtained indicate the plane there are several craters at the poles are so deep that the bottom was always in shadow. "Just wait. The scientific test of that theory using data Messenger done immediately," said Sean Solomon, Messenger investigation leader.

Messenger also discovered that Mercury's magnetic field is not symmetric with field lines that are very north magnets compared to the planet's equator.

Aircraft Messenger (stands for Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and ranging) was launched in August 2004 and was designed to map the complete Mercury.Messenger to orbit Mercury with a very oval shape. Mercury is the closest distance to reach 200 kilometers. While at the farthest position, the distance of 15,000 kilometers.

The mission of orbiting Mercury will take as long as 12 months.Messenger itself has started to orbit since March 17, 2011.(Source: LiveScience, SPACE.com)