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MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging orbiter(MESSENGER) is set to be the first spacecraft since 1975 to study Mercury and the very first probe to orbit the planet...this March.
It's goals are to:
(1) Determine the surface composition of Mercury.
(2) Study the Geological history of the planet.
(3) Determine the planet's magnetic field strength, position and orientation.
(4) Determine if Mercury has a liquid outer core.
(5) Study the reflective material at the planet's poles.
(6) Find any volatile gases and their sources.
AccuWeather.com - Astronomy | MESSENGER Probe to be the 1st Spacecraft to Orbit Mercury (http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/astronomy/story/45982/messenger-probe-to-be-the-1st-spacecraft-to-orbit-mercury-1.asp - broken link)
You are welcome 6 Foot.....I just remembered about MESSENGER orbiter last week, the pictures posted are just spectacular. But according to the links etc....once the probe is in orbit the video resolution should increase at least ten fold as well as the sensitivity of the remainder of the scientific instrument packages..
Also talk about a conumdrum as the surface temps average around 442 K or 337 F and yet scientists believe that there is ice in it's craters on polar caps as Messenger should answer if this is correct or not . I take it that even though Mercury is so close to the sun that the latent temps around the planet are not hot/warm to allow ice to form where there is no direct sunlight?
Also talk about a conumdrum as the surface temps average around 442 K or 337 F and yet scientists believe that there is ice in it's craters on polar caps as Messenger should answer if this is correct or not . I take it that even though Mercury is so close to the sun that the latent temps around the planet are not hot/warm to allow ice to form where there is no direct sunlight?
Permanent shadows + almost nonexistent atmosphere to circulate heat = freezing temps.
Thanks for the update~I'll have some fun with these links.
You're welcome Gue.....I must say...some of the links are very interesting and informative with varying capabilities to follow the orbiter mission as well as other space probes and more NASA science instrument information/data as well. .
Permanent shadows + almost nonexistent atmosphere to circulate heat = freezing temps.
They are fairly sure that some ice crystals exist on the Mercurian surface but not positive about it yet. Once MESSENGER achieves a stable orbit and can use it's data collecting instruments to full advantage then we will have a definitive answer....I'd say in a few weeks to months...IMO.
Well i'm stoked as i can't wait until it arrives to Mercury and of course it being so close to the sun since i'm a practicing ancient Roman pagan sun worshiper just adds to the nostalgia of the mission
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and of course it being so close to the sun since i'm a practicing ancient Roman pagan sun worshiper just adds to the nostalgia of the mission 
