A spacecraft called BepiColombo has sent back unprecedented data from its flyby around Mercury, marking a significant milestone in the planet’s study. The MERTIS instrument on board captured thermal infrared data from Mercury’s surface during its fifth flyby at an altitude of 37,630 kilometers.
The data revealed temperatures reaching up to 420 degrees Celsius and provided critical insights into Mercury’s mineralogy and surface properties. This is the first time Mercury has been studied in wavelengths between 7 and 14 micrometers, allowing for detailed analysis of the planet’s thermal radiation.
Co-Principal Investigator Jorn Helbert expressed enthusiasm for the milestone, saying “after about two decades of development… the first data from the space probe is now available. It is simply fantastic!” Dr. Harald Hiesinger, a planetary geologist leading the MERTIS team, highlighted the importance of this data, stating “we are seeing Mercury in a completely new light thanks to MERTIS.”
The MERTIS instrument, developed by the DLR Institute of Planetary Research with contributions from German industry, is lightweight and efficient. Project manager Gisbert Peter noted its reliability and the significance of the data collected, saying “after a six-year cruise to Mercury… the instrument is operating very reliably and delivering impressive measurements.”
The latest flyby also allowed MERTIS to observe notable geological features such as the Caloris impact basin and the Basho impact crater. The instrument confirmed the unique characteristics of Basho, exhibiting strikingly bright and dark materials.
BepiColombo’s mission involves international cooperation between European and Japanese teams, with contributions from multiple institutions and the United States. Once BepiColombo enters Mercury’s orbit, the MERTIS instrument will deliver data with resolutions as high as 500 meters, further illuminating the planet’s geology and thermal environment.
This milestone marks a significant achievement in the study of Mercury and demonstrates the importance of international collaboration in space exploration.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Mercury_observed_in_thermal_infrared_for_the_first_time_999.html