A historic image of Mercury, the first ever obtained from one spacecraft in orbit about the Solar System's innermost planet, was taken by NASA's MESSENGER probe on March 29, 2011, at 5:20 am EDT. MESSENGER then acquired an additional 363 images over six hours before sending back some of the date to Earth. Besides, it will continue to access 1,185 additional images in support of MDIS commissioning-phase activities over the next three days.
MESSENGER made a history when becoming the first spacecraft to orbit the planet Mercury on March 17, 2011. Its seven scientific instruments and radio science investigation will unravel the history and evolution of the Solar System's innermost planet during the one-year primary mission.
Now, let's unlock the secret of Mercury through some photos below.
Mercury is seen in the first image from orbit by NASA's MESSENGER probe
The planet Mercury is spotted from orbit by NASA's MESSENGER probe
Mercury's horizon is posed from orbit by NASA's MESSENGER probe
The planet Mercury was posed by the Messenger spacecraft during its October 6, 2008 fly-by. A large region of smooth plains can be seen in the upper portion of this image, extending to the north
An image of Mercury taken by the MESSENGER spacecraft on October 5, 2008 as it approached the planet
The image, which was taken during the January 2008 fly-by from the MESSENGER spacecraft, shows that volcanoes were involved in plains formation
A view of the planet Mercury's rugged and cratered landscape by the Messenger Spacecraft on January 14, 2008
A view of the planet Mercury's landscape in an image from the Messenger Spacecraft taken on January 14, 2008
An image of Mercury was taken by the MESSENGER spacecraft on January 14, 2008
An image of the planet Mercury was taken on March 24, 1974 from Mariner 10
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