Mercury Observations Mercury Observations with MESSENGER with MESSENGER

ImagesImages

By:By:

Frank J MelilloFrank J Melillo

MISSION TO MISSION TO MERCURY:MERCURY:

MESSENGERMESSENGERIt stands for -It stands for -

MErcury: Surface, Space, MErcury: Surface, Space, ENvironment, GEochemisty, ENvironment, GEochemisty,

RangingRanging

•MESSENGER Spacecraft Launched MESSENGER Spacecraft Launched August 3rd, 2004August 3rd, 2004

MESSENGER entered orbit MESSENGER entered orbit around Mercury in March, 2011around Mercury in March, 2011

BUT FIRST…BUT FIRST…

►Earth Flyby – Aug. 3, 2005Earth Flyby – Aug. 3, 2005►Venus Flyby 1 – Oct. 24, 2006Venus Flyby 1 – Oct. 24, 2006►Venus Flyby 2 – June 5, 2007Venus Flyby 2 – June 5, 2007►Mercury Flyby 1 – Jan. 14, 2008Mercury Flyby 1 – Jan. 14, 2008►Mercury Flyby 2 – Oct. 6, 2008Mercury Flyby 2 – Oct. 6, 2008►Mercury Flyby 3 – Sept. 9, 2009Mercury Flyby 3 – Sept. 9, 2009►First Orbit Insertion – March 11, 2011First Orbit Insertion – March 11, 2011►Mission extended – March 18, 2012 Mission extended – March 18, 2012

Approaching MercuryApproaching Mercury

MESSENGER departs MercuryMESSENGER departs Mercury

Dr.Dr. Gerald Cecil’s (University of NC in Chapter Hill) images of Gerald Cecil’s (University of NC in Chapter Hill) images of Mercury compared with the MESSENGER. They were taken Mercury compared with the MESSENGER. They were taken

remotely by using the 1.35M SOAR telescope in Chileremotely by using the 1.35M SOAR telescope in Chile

Is Solitudo Aphrodites imaged?Is Solitudo Aphrodites imaged?(Formerly Skinakas Basin)(Formerly Skinakas Basin)

THE END…….THE END…….