Transcript Presentation1[1]

A Place Called Home
Discuss the questions on
the blue sheet on your
table. (Answers provided
at end of session.)
MESSENGER
Mission to Mercury
Dr. Debra Gallagher
Messenger Fellow
WHY MERCURY???
Fast Facts and Key questions
Planet
closest
to the
sun
Length of the Year
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
88days @ 172,000km/h
Orbit is more oval-shaped than Earths’
4 Mercury orbits =1 Earth year!
However, the
Length of Day
…(sunrise to sunset) is 60 times
slower than Earth, so a single day
takes 2 Mercury years!!
Size


Diameter is 4,879 km vs Earth at
12,756km
Second smallest planet, larger
than Pluto
Gravity


Mercury’ pull is 37% that of Earth’s
If you weigh 135 lb. on Earth, you weigh 50
lbs on Mercury!
Weird orbit!

Mercury is the only celestial
object with a 3:2 spin orbit –
what does that mean???
Magnetic field


Discovered by Mariner 10
Smallest planet with an Earth-like magnetic
field, but it is weaker
Too Hot/Too cold

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Mercury has the highest
variation in surface temperature
Daytime- sweltering, over 450 C
(850F)
Nighttime—180C (-300F) brrrr
Atmosphere



Extremely tenuous, virtually a vacuum
compared to Earth!
Cannot moderate temperature like our
atmosphere does
Although there is oxygen, there is not enough
to fill your lungs
So what do we want to know
now?


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Why is Mercury so dense?
What is the geologic history?
What is the structure of the
core?
What is the nature of the
magnetic field?
What are the unusual materials
at the poles?
What volatiles are important at
Mercury?
How do we know?
Enter the MESSENGER
MErcury Surface Space ENvironment
GEochemistry and Ranging mission!
The MESSENGER
spacecraft
What is the geologic history?
What is the structure of the core?
Why is Mercury so dense?
What is the nature of the
magnetic field?
What are the unusual materials
at the poles?
What volatiles are important at
Mercury?
And we are doing this
because…?
Learning more about this small
terrestrial planet will
 give us clues about the formation
of the solar system,
 evolution of the planets,
 how magnetic fields are
generated
 insight into the formation and
evolution of Earth!!
Whew!
Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging
4/12/2016
25
http://btc.montana.edu/messenger/main/epo.php
Mission Timeline
4/12/2016
30
Consider an ice
experience from your
life.
Write or draw your
experience.
Share that experience
with your table group.
Choose one of the
experiences to share
with the large group.
What are
shadows?
What does a
shadow do?
How can shade
protect the
MESSENGER
from the sun?
The Herschel Experiment
The Herschel Experiment
Use the Solar System
bookmarks to assist
you in completing the
Planet Quiz found on
your table.
When you are
finished, you can
choose one of the
bookmarks to keep
Journey Through Our
Solar System.
Design a spacecraft
mission to explore
another world in the
Solar System.
Use the Mission
Design handout on
your table and work in
groups of 4 to
complete the task.
Good Luck!!!