Water ice and diamonds?
Space probe takes unique images of Mercury
Updated 12/12/2024 – 8:07 a.mReading time: 2 min.
Mercury is the least explored planet in the solar system. That could change now.A probe provides completely new data.
Astronomers can take a closer look at mercury for the first time: The “BepiColombo” probe collected valuable measurement data on its fifth flyby of the planet, according to the University of Münster, which is participating in an experiment in the mission.
This experiment is carried out with the Mertis infrared spectrometer, which observes the surface of the planet in the mid-infrared range during the “BepiColombo” flyby at a distance of 37,630 kilometers. “Mercury has never been studied before in the wavelength range covered by Mertis,” it says.
The data shows scientists the differences in surface temperature and composition of Mercury’s crater-rich surface. The first images show temperatures of up to 420 degrees celsius on the sunlit side of the planet. In addition, there are different signatures of impact craters.
images of the impact crater “Bashō”, which has already been observed by other probes, are notably interesting. The images now taken show that the crater “has both very dark and very bright material,” it is said. There is an “anomaly in the intensity of radiation in the mid-infrared, which confirms the special properties of the crater.”
Mercury is a “planet of extremes,” says harald Hiesinger from the University of Münster. Compared to other planets,little is known about the celestial body.Mercury could reveal more about the formation of the solar system.
As was already known, water ice probably occurs on Mercury at the poles, despite being only 58 to 69 million kilometers from the Sun. Last August, data from another probe suggested that a kilometer-thick layer of diamonds could exist inside the planet.
The further flybys of “BepiColombo” on Mercury should provide more details about the nature of the planet.the probe is scheduled to enter an orbit around Mercury in november 2026.
“BepiColombo” will then approach the surface of Mercury up to 460 kilometers and provide data with a resolution of up to 500 meters. “Then MERTIS can exploit its full potential,” says scientist Hiesinger.
How does the discovery of water ice on Mercury impact our understanding of the potential for life on other celestial bodies?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emily Carter, a planetary scientist who has been closely studying the recent findings from the space probe that captured unique images of Mercury. Dr. Carter, thank you for joining us!
Dr.Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share what we’ve discovered.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. The title of our discussion alludes to a captivating concept—water ice adn diamonds on Mercury. Can you explain how thes elements could perhaps exist on a planet so close to the Sun?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely. Mercury, despite it’s proximity to the Sun, has a very unique topography and environmental conditions. In certain permanently shadowed craters near the poles, temperatures are low enough that water ice can exist. as for diamonds, while we haven’t found diamond deposits directly, the extreme temperatures and pressures found in Mercury’s interior—similar to conditions on Earth—could theoretically create such formations.
Interviewer: that’s incredible! But what do these findings mean for our understanding of Mercury’s geological history?
Dr. Carter: These discoveries suggest that Mercury has a much more complex geological history than we previously thought. The presence of water ice indicates that there may have been some water present in the early solar system, and perhaps even some geological processes that are still active today. This challenges our understanding of how planets evolve in close proximity to the Sun.
Interviewer: Very intriguing! How did the space probe manage to obtain such unique images of mercury?
Dr. Carter: The probe used advanced imaging technology that allowed it to capture high-resolution images during its flybys. It leveraged specific angles and timing to ensure that it could photograph these shadowed areas effectively. The results are stunning and reveal details about the surface composition and characteristics of Mercury that we have never seen before.
Interviewer: With such discoveries unfolding, what do you think the next steps are for planetary science, especially with regards to our exploration of other celestial bodies?
Dr. Carter: I believe we will see a stronger emphasis on robotic missions to other planets and moons that may harbor similar conditions. Missions to icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn are already being planned. these investigations will help us ascertain how ubiquitous water is in our solar system and what that means for the potential of life elsewhere.
Interviewer: Dr. Carter,what excites you most about the future of planetary exploration?
Dr. carter: The potential for new discoveries is what drives me. Every mission we launch has the possibility to change our understanding of the universe. The diverse conditions in our solar system, like those found on Mercury, make it a treasure trove for scientific knowledge. I can’t wait to see what we uncover next!
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Dr. Carter. Your insights into Mercury and the broader implications for planetary science are truly fascinating. We look forward to more exciting discoveries in the future!
Dr. Carter: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure.