Mercury

Basic Data:
  • R=2,439 km (0.3xRearth)
  • M=3.3x1026 g (5% Mearth)
  • a = 0.387 AU, e=0.2
  • Porb = 88 days
  • Prot = 58.6 days


    • Until recently, nearly all information came from Mariner 10 mission (1974/5)

    Mariner 10 Mercury Mosaic


    But the ongoing Messenger mission is improving things rapidly!


    What do we see? (Movie courtesy of Messeger mission)

    Compare this to the Moon.