Mercury

Latest about Mercury

A colorful view of Mercury produced from images taken by the MESSENGER spacecraft.

Did Mercury once have the ingredients for life?

By Chelsea Gohd published

It's possible that Mercury once held the ingredients for life.

Mercury
Despite Mercury's extreme heat, there is permanent ice at the planet's poles, according to data and images from NASA's MESSENGER probe, which visited Mercury in 2011.

Weird! Mercury's scorching temps may actually lead to ice.

By Elizabeth Howell published

Could Mercury's close orbit to the sun help the planet generate ice? This sounds like a paradox, but a new study shows how it could happen.

Mercury
During the first half of February, Mercury will complete its best evening appearance for mid-northern latitude observers during 2020, climbing higher in the west-southwestern sky every evening.

How to see the 'elusive planet' Mercury in the night sky in February

By Joe Rao published

Mercury is often cited as the most difficult of the naked-eye planets to see due its proximity to the sun, but there are times during the year when Mercury can be surprisingly easy to spot.

Mercury
Balanchine crater on Mercury is visible at the center of this image taken by NASA's MESSENGER mission.

How 'The Nutcracker' Choreographer Inspired the Name of Mercury's Tutu-Like Crater

By Doris Elin Urrutia published

Mercury
Arecibo Observatory gathered radar data of Mercury from July 19 to 24, 2019.

A Radar Station in Puerto Rico Can See Ice on Mercury

By Meghan Bartels published

There are no hurricanes on Mercury, but there is plenty of water ice — and observing that ice can help scientists deal with the lingering effects of a very terrestrial hurricane.

Mercury
Former journalist Martin Evans (right) chats with two fellow guests of the Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA) gathering on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in Floyd Bennett Field, New York. Peering through the Orion EZ Finder II telescope is a mother who brought her children to the viewing event; standing to the left is amateur astronomer Stephen Lieber.

New Yorkers Celebrate Rare Mercury Transit by Staring at the Sun (Safely) with Wonder

By Doris Elin Urrutia published

Near the edge of Jamaica Bay in New York City, about a dozen people gathered to watch Mercury travel across the sun.

Mercury
The Mercury transit of Nov. 11, 2019, as seen from Turkey's Van province.

Miss the Mercury Transit of 2019? You'll Have to Wait 13 Years for the Next One

By Elizabeth Howell published

If you missed Mercury's journey across the sun Monday (Nov. 11), you're in for a bit of a wait for the next sun-transiting planetary occasion.

Mercury
Mercury transits the sun, as seen behind the Washington Monument, on Nov. 11, 2019.

Rare Mercury Transit, the Last Until 2032, Thrills Skywatchers Around the World

By Hanneke Weitering, Elizabeth Howell published

The tiny planet Mercury scooted across the sun's face today (Nov. 11) for the last time until 2032, and skywatchers around the world had the chance to witness the rare celestial event.

Mercury
Instruments onboard NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory study the sun in a range of different wavelengths to learn more about the star. This image of the transit of Mercury was captured by the satellite's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly instrument.

The Mercury Transit of 2019 in Photos! The Best Views Until 2032

By Tariq Malik published

On Nov. 11, 2019, the planet Mercury crossed the face of the sun in a rare Mercury transit. See amazing photos of the transit, the last until 2032, from NASA and around the world!

Mercury
Mercury transited the sun on Nov. 11, 2019, as seen from Washington, D.C.

This NASA Scientist Is So Excited About the Mercury Transit of 2019. Here's Why

By Elizabeth Howell published

Mercury's march across the sun today (Nov. 11) is due to a weird and wild set of planetary alignments, according to NASA.

Mercury
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