Mercury 'Spider Crater' Spotted
(Newser)
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NASA's first probe to Mercury in more than 30 years has made some spectacular finds, including a mysterious new crater dubbed "the spider," Space.com reports. The network of cracks radiating from the impact crater photographed by the probe is like nothing else ever seen in the solar system. "Our little craft has returned a gold mine of exciting data," said the chief scientist.
The Messenger probe has photographed much of the 55% of the planet scientists have never seen before, and gathered data on the planet's puzzling magnetic field. Experts now think they have evidence of volcanic activity on Mercury. "I've waited 30 years for this. It didn't disappoint," said a team member. The tiny probe will pass Mercury again later this year.
Sources:
Space.com,
BBC
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