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Mercury observed in thermal infrared for the first time
This global view of Mercury is a contrast-enhanced image mosaic, calculated from data from the camera system of NASA's MESSENGER mission, which orbited the planet from 2011 to 2015. The colours reflect the differences in the mineralogy of the rocks on the surface. During the flyby of ESA's BepiColombo space probe on 1 December 2024, at a distance of approximately 40,000 kilometres, the MERTIS spectrometer was switched on. It scanned Mercury in thermal infrared wavelengths between 7 to 14 micrometres.
Mercury observed in thermal infrared for the first time
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 13, 2024

Mercury, the smallest and innermost planet in the solar system, continues to intrigue planetary researchers with its unique composition and structure, which differ significantly from Earth's Moon despite surface similarities. BepiColombo, a collaborative mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), aims to resolve these mysteries. Launched in 2018, the spacecraft is set to enter Mercury's orbit in November 2026.

On December 1, 2024, during its fifth flyby at an altitude of 37,630 kilometers, BepiColombo's MERTIS (Mercury Radiometer and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer) instrument captured unprecedented thermal infrared data from Mercury's surface. This marks the first time Mercury has been studied in wavelengths between 7 and 14 micrometers, enabling detailed analysis of the planet's thermal radiation. Temperatures measured during the flyby reached up to 420 degrees Celsius, providing critical insights into Mercury's mineralogy and surface properties.

Jorn Helbert of the DLR Institute of Planetary Research, Co-Principal Investigator for MERTIS, expressed enthusiasm for the milestone. "After about two decades of development, laboratory measurements, and mission preparation, the first data from the space probe is now available. It is simply fantastic!"

Harald Hiesinger, a planetary geologist at the University of Munster leading the MERTIS team, emphasized the importance of this data. "We are seeing Mercury in a completely new light thanks to MERTIS. We are breaking new ground and will be much better able to understand the composition, mineralogy, and temperatures on Mercury."

MERTIS, developed by DLR with contributions from German industry, is a lightweight and efficient instrument weighing just three kilograms. Project manager Gisbert Peter highlighted its reliability and the significance of the data collected, noting, "After a six-year cruise to Mercury, the instrument is operating very reliably and delivering impressive measurements."

This latest flyby also allowed MERTIS to observe notable geological features such as the Caloris impact basin and the Basho impact crater. MERTIS data confirmed the unique characteristics of Basho, which exhibits strikingly bright and dark materials. These observations pave the way for future analyses that will deepen understanding of Mercury's surface composition.

BepiColombo's complex journey to Mercury involves close cooperation between European and Japanese teams. The mission's components include the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) for propulsion, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) for scientific investigations, and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) contributed by JAXA.

While MERTIS has already provided groundbreaking data from its flybys, the instrument's full capabilities will be realized once BepiColombo enters Mercury's orbit. At that stage, the instrument will deliver data with resolutions as high as 500 meters, further illuminating the planet's geology and thermal environment.

The BepiColombo mission exemplifies international collaboration, with contributions from multiple European institutions and the United States. German involvement, spearheaded by DLR and supported by federal funding, played a pivotal role in the mission's development.

Related Links
DLR Institute of Planetary Research
News Flash at Mercury
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more

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On December 1, 2024, the European Space Agency's BepiColombo mission completed its fifth flyby of Mercury, marking a historic first by capturing the planet in mid-infrared light. The unprecedented images provide fresh insights into the temperature and mineral composition of Mercury's cratered surface. Mercury, the least-explored terrestrial planet in the Solar System, has only been visited by two previous missions: NASA's Mariner 10 in the 1970s and NASA's Messenger, which orbited the planet betwe ... read more

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