Mercury is the planet closest to the sun and was thought to be similar to the moon. However, this has been proven wrong by photographs taken by the Messenger probe of NASA. These photographs show a lot of volcanic activity and bluish gooey material spread across the planet which requires to be studied further.
After zipping around the smallest planet of our Solar system Mercury in the month of October, NASA’s space probe Messenger has sent in pictures and results of this fly-by. This probe has ventured into areas of the planet never explored earlier. This was the second time the Messenger went around Mercury and the first pass was in the month of January.
This is one of the most significant expeditions to the planet Mercury so far and is the first of its kind since the 70s. This expedition is helping us gain new knowledge and insight into this mysterious planet.
Volcanic activity on Mercury is more than what was revealed in previous data as shown by the images sent by the Messenger. This breaks the long term belief by scientists that this planet is just a mass of rock which is inactive. A lot of interest and excitement is generated with the discovery of various craters and material in them.
According to the Astronomy Magazine senior editor Rich Talcott, a lot of material has surfaced from the inside of the Mercury and they seem to be smooth and plain. A bluish material was evidently present in the craters which could be viewed through the infrared cameras of NASA.
