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Latest News, Features and Photos

MESSENGER Has Imaged 100 Percent of Mercury

MESSENGER’s Mercury Dual Imaging System has finally imaged 100 percent of the planet.

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MESSENGER Data Provides New Evidence for Ice on Mercury

Papers published in Science Express provide support for the long-held hypothesis that Mercury's permanently shadowed polar craters contain water ice.

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Mercury's Surprising Core and Landscape Curiosities

MESSENGER reveals new information about Mercury’s topography, the structure of its core, and mysterious polar deposits.

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NASA Extends MESSENGER Mission

NASA has announced that it will extend the MESSENGER mission.

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MESSENGER Mission Updates

Newly Named Mercury Craters Honor Hawaiian Guitarist, Beloved Young Adult Author →

3.26.13 - The International Astronomical Union (IAU) — the arbiter of planetary and satellite nomenclature since its inception in 1919 — recently approved a proposal from the MESSENGER Science Team to assign names to nine impact craters on Mercury.
MESSENGER Completes Its First Extended Mission at Mercury →

3.18.13 - On March 17, 2013, MESSENGER successfully completed its year-long first extended mission in orbit about Mercury, building on the groundbreaking scientific results from its earlier primary mission.
MESSENGER's Discoveries Tapped as among Top Space Stories of 2012 →

1.4.13 - In 2012, the MESSENGER mission to Mercury completed its primary mission, embarked on an extended mission, saw its images and maps featured on a highly rated television show, sponsored the release of a dedicated app, and celebrated the 8th anniversary of its launch, all the while continuing to produce new findings about the planet closest to the Sun.
Recently Named Mercury Craters Honor Blues Singer and Animation Pioneer →

12.21.12 - The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recently approved a proposal from the MESSENGER Science Team to assign names to nine impact craters on Mercury. The IAU has been the arbiter of planetary and satellite nomenclature since its inception in 1919. In keeping with the established naming theme for craters on Mercury, all of the newly designated features are named after famous deceased artists, musicians, or authors or other contributors to the humanities.