Magnetic tornadoes could form open windows in Mercury's magnetic shield, allowing the solar wind to flow through and blast atoms off the planet's surface to replenish its atmosphere.
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Magnetic Tornadoes Could Free Mercury's Tenuous Climate
A Look at Mercury's Unseen Side
On Jan. 14, 2008, MESSENGER became the first spacecraft to see the side of Mercury shown in this image.
MESSENGER Features
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MESSENGER Spacecraft Reveals More Hidden Territory on Mercury
A NASA spacecraft gliding over the battered surface of Mercury for the second time this year has revealed more previously unseen real estate on the innermost planet.
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MESSENGER Bids Farewell to Venus
ESA’s Venus Express and NASA’s MESSENGER studied the oddities of the mysterious planet, Venus, in tandem in early June.
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MESSENGER's Venus Flyby
Messenger was able to take some sensational images of Venus as it made its flyby on June 6 and 7, 2007.
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The Long and Winding Road
Getting MESSENGER from Earth to Mercury isn't as easy as you think.
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Mercury, Get Ready for a Close-Up
MESSENGER plans to get personal with our mysterious terrestrial neighbor.
MESSENGER News
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NASA Teleconference to Preview MESSENGER's Flyby of Mercury
01.07.08 - NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 10, to preview the historic Jan. 14 spacecraft flight past Mercury that will explore some of the last major never-seen-before terrain in the inner solar system.
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Mercury-Bound NASA Probe Snaps First Approach Shots Before August Flyby →
05.31.05 - NASA’s Mercury-bound MESSENGER spacecraft – less than three months from an Earth flyby that will slingshot it toward the inner solar system – successfully tested its main camera by snapping distant approach shots of Earth and the Moon.
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Mercury-Bound MESSENGER Launches From Cape Canaveral →
08.03.04 - NASA's MESSENGER -- set to become the first spacecraft to orbit the planet Mercury -- launched today at 2:15:56 a.m. EDT aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
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Related Multimedia
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Launch is Flawless!
MESSENGER is successfully launched on its journey to Mercury.
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MESSENGER Revealed
Join James Leary and other Mission specialists for this exciting webcast.
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MESSENGER's Science
Dr. Ralph McNutt answers your questions about the MESSENGER Mission.
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A Scientific MESSENGER
This probe's science payload will get personal with Mercury.
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In Demand
Planet Mercury's curious features leave scientists wanting more.
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 "MESSENGER launches successfully")
 "Tiffany Nail hosts Mission Overview webcast with James Leary Mission System Engineer")
 "Cheryle Mako Mission Integration Manager and Project Scientist Dr. Ralph McNutt")
 "MESSENGER spacecraft")
 "An artist's conception of MESSENGER orbiting Mercury.")