The European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) spacecraft BepiColombo recently captured breathtaking high-definition photos of the scorching hot surface of planet Mercury. The spacecraft is on its sixth flyby of the planet, providing scientists with a unique opportunity to study the extreme features of Mercury’s tiny frame.
Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun and smallest in our solar system, packs impressive characteristics into its compact size. Despite being extremely close to the Sun, it has a surprisingly large iron-rich core, generating a strong magnetic field. The surface is covered with craters similar to the Moon’s, as Mercury lacks a substantial atmosphere to protect it from meteoroids.
During its latest flyby on January 8, 2025, BepiColombo reached just 295 miles above the planet’s night side before passing over the north pole and capturing stunning images of sunlit regions. Scientists are thrilled to study icy floors in areas that never see the Sun, shedding light on the composition of this rocky body.
The spacecraft’s flyby campaigns aim to understand Mercury’s formation and evolution, including the presence or absence of frozen water in permanently shadowed craters. Future data will also help unravel mysteries surrounding Mercury’s geology, magnetic field, and surface chemistry.
BepiColombo will soon enter orbit around Mercury, marking a new phase of exploration for this little-explored planet. With its findings, scientists hope to answer long-held questions about Mercury’s hidden polar ices, puzzling volcanic traces, and unexpectedly dark crust.
As the spacecraft settles into its final orbit, researchers are eager to analyze data from multiple instruments, measuring surface areas with advanced spectrometers, and unlocking mineral clues about how Mercury cooled and contracted over billions of years.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/bepicolombo-spacecraft-captures-high-definition-images-of-mercury-during-close-flyby