First View of Mercury

The MESSENGER spacecraft flew by Mercury this week, sending the first closeups of the planet since Mariner 10 in 1975. This photo shows a side of Mercury never before seen. Even the planet closest to the Sun contains many mysteries. Recent observations confirm (as predicted) that Mercury is Hot! The planet's core may have formed around a tiny Black Hole, which would also power a magnetic field. MESSENGER will make 3 flybys of the planet before settling into orbit in March 2011.

This week Colony Worlds hosts the Carnival of Space!