Orbiting Mercury !!

The Mecury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging mission (MESSANGER) would study Mercury. This is the closest we can get to the Sun (for now that is :)).

The MESSENGER would be launched on August 2nd, 2004 and it takes 7 years to reach - March 2011 it would reach Mercury !!.

 

About Mercury:

Mercury is a small planet (1/3rd the size of Earth) and closest planet to the Sun (also the closest known object too, I guess). The side facing towards the sun has a tempertature of around 430 degrees celsius and the side facing away from the Sun would be -183 degrees celcius.

 

It has an orbital period of 88 (Earth) days. The rotation period is 59 (Earth) days.

 

An interesting software for Space enthusiasts is Celestia [http://www.shatters.net/celestia/]. You could go on a trip to any known part of the universe !!

 

More Later !!