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New, Stunning Images of Mercury's North Pole Will Help Scientists Study the Planet's Mysterious Permanent Shadows


Published on 2025-01-13 18:22:17 - MSN
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  • The BepiColombo spacecraft
  • a joint endeavor between the European and Japanese space agencies
  • has just snapped stunning photographs of Mercury's north pole during its recent flyby of the innermost planet.

The article discusses new, high-resolution images of Mercury's north pole captured by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, which are being used to study the planet's permanently shadowed regions. These images reveal details about the craters where water ice might exist, despite Mercury's proximity to the Sun. The shadows in these craters are due to the planet's minimal axial tilt, which keeps some areas in perpetual darkness. Scientists are particularly interested in these areas because they could contain volatiles like water ice, offering insights into Mercury's thermal history and the dynamics of its exosphere. The images help in mapping these shadowed regions more accurately, aiding in future mission planning and enhancing our understanding of Mercury's environmental conditions.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/new-stunning-images-of-mercury-s-north-pole-will-help-scientists-study-the-planet-s-mysterious-permanent-shadows/ar-BB1roo8R ]