SPACE PROBE SOLVED 5 MAJOR MYSTERIES

The MESSENGER probe is smaller than a car, but its ultra-accurate instruments have solved Mercury’s major mysteries in no time.

MAGNETIC FIELD IS LOPSIDED

Mercury’s magnetic field is lopsided, so the protection from solar wind particles is irregular, according to measurements by the MESSENGER probe’s magnetometer.

SURFACE SHRINKS

Mercury is still geologically active, as the planet shrinks, because it is slowly cooling, according to data from MESSENGER’s laser altimeter and surface images.

POLES INCLUDE WATER ICE

MESSENGER has found indications of water ice in craters on Mercury’s poles. The probe uses a neutron spectrometer to find one of the ingredients of water: hydrogen.

ATMOSPHERE IS CHANGING

Mercury has an ultrathin atmosphere – or exosphere – made up by material stirred up from the surface by solar wind. The probe has found out that the exosphere is changing.

CORE IS LIQUID

The MESSENGER probe’s measurements of the planet’s gravitational field and lab experiments have shown that Mercury’s core is not only large, but may also be partly liquid. The MESSENGER probe has orbited Mercury for 4 years.