Mercury (planet)

The planet Mercury is seen in silhouette, lower left, as it transits across the face of the sun on May 9, 2016. Another transit of Mercury — the last one for 30 years — will take place Monday.

Science

Skywatchers In North America Hope For Clear Skies To See Transit Of Mercury

7:00am November 10, 2019

by Scott Neuman

Monday morning, the solar system's innermost planet will begin a 5.5-hour march across the disc of the sun. All you need to see it are clear skies and access to a telescope with a sun filter.

This image of a "red spot" on Mercury, which is thought to be the result of a volcanic explosion, was sent to Earth by the Messenger probe in 2011.

National
Science

Kill The Messenger: NASA Orbiter Crashes Into Mercury

5:36pm April 30, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Messenger was launched from Earth in 2004. After 4,104 orbits of Mercury and billions of miles of space travel, the orbiter ended its mission with a quiet bang Thursday.