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NASA's Messenger probe sent back it's first pictures:
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080116-messenger-mercury-images.html
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080116-messenger-mercury-images.html
The first pictures from Mercury in 30 years are significant because they provide scientists with updated and detailed information about the planet's surface and atmosphere. These images can help researchers better understand the planet's formation, evolution, and current conditions.
The pictures were captured by the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) aboard NASA's Messenger spacecraft. This system consists of a narrow-angle camera and a wide-angle camera, both equipped with filters to capture images in different wavelengths of light.
These pictures can provide valuable information about Mercury's geological features, such as craters, mountains, and valleys. They can also reveal the planet's composition, including the presence of different minerals and elements. Additionally, the pictures can help scientists study Mercury's atmosphere and its interactions with the solar wind.
The last time pictures of Mercury were captured was in 2015 by NASA's Messenger spacecraft. The images from the recent flyby are of higher resolution and cover areas of the planet that were not previously photographed. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of Mercury's surface and atmosphere.
NASA's Messenger spacecraft has completed its mission and crash-landed on Mercury in 2015. However, the European Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency are planning a joint mission, called BepiColombo, which is expected to reach Mercury in 2025. This mission will continue to gather data and images of the planet, further advancing our understanding of this intriguing world.