Mercury

Latest about Mercury

Mercury and Venus will appear close to each other just after sunset on Friday, May 28, in the west-northwestern sky. They may be difficult to spot. Look for Mercury to the left of Venus.

Mercury and Venus will be at their closest until 2033 tonight, but may be hard to spot

By Elizabeth Howell published

Venus and Mercury will meet in the evening sky Friday (May 28) for their closest encounter until Nov. 5, 2033.

Mercury
Two views of Mercury captured by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft on Jan. 14, 2008, and Sept. 29, 2009.

Mercury may not have shrunk nearly as much as scientists think

By Charles Q. Choi last updated

Mercury may not have shrunk nearly as much as scientists previously thought, potentially solving the mystery posed by the planet's continuing quakes.

Mercury
mercury, spin, core

How Big is Mercury?

By Nola Taylor Tillman last updated

Mercury is the smallest planet, but it is very dense.

Mercury
Artist's impression of BepiColombo

Here's what scientists heard when Mercury-bound BepiColombo flew past Earth

By Gemma Lavender published

BepiColombo captured five eerie recordings as it whizzed past Earth at a speed of 2.159 miles (3.474 kilometers) per second.

Mercury
The European Space Agency released this animation of the BepiColombo spacecraft's final view of Earth, captured on April 10 and April 11, 2020.

This stunning crescent Earth is the last view of home from the Mercury-bound BepiColombo

By Elizabeth Howell published

The BepiColombo spacecraft headed for Mercury showed off an epic last view of Earth while zooming away from our planet on Friday and Saturday (April 10 and 11).

Mercury
An animation of images captured by cameras on the BepiColombo spacecraft shortly before its closest approach to Earth, on April 10, 2020.

What a view! Mercury probe snaps stunning photos of our planet during Earth flyby.

By Meghan Bartels published

A spacecraft bound for Mercury beamed home stunning views of Earth during a crucial flyby conducted early today (April 10).

Mercury
An artist's depiction of the BepiColombo spacecraft flying past Earth.

Farewell, Earth! Mercury probe makes successful flyby to head deeper into solar system.

By Meghan Bartels published

A spacecraft taking the scenic route to Mercury successfully completed a crucial maneuver on its journey: a precisely choreographed swing past Earth.

Mercury
BepiColombo captured its first Earth flyby images on April 9, 2020.

A Mercury probe flies by Earth tonight. Here's how to hitch a VR ride (and maybe see it, too!)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The European-Japanese BepiColombo mission will whiz past our planet as the spacecraft continues on its long journey toward Mercury.

Mercury
Earth and the moon as seen by BepiColombo on March 5, 2020, as the mission began preparing for its flyby of Earth.

Europe's Mercury-bound BepiColombo will swing past Earth soon! Here's what you need to know.

By Meghan Bartels last updated

A mission dubbed BepiColombo is bound for Mercury, but in order to reach its destination, it needs to take the scenic route, beginning with a flyby of Earth later this month.

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
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives