NASA spacecraft to make historic flyby over Mercury

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Scientists are eagerly awaiting new images and observations Monday when a NASA spacecraft flies over Mercury in the first visit in almost 33 years to the mysterious small planet.

They expect to harvest some 1,200 images and other data from instruments aboard the MESSENGER spacecraft that could shake up the study of the solar system, officials said Thursday.

"I think we're in for some big surprises," participating scientist Faith Vilas said in a teleconference with reporters.

"This is raw scientific exploration and the suspense is building by the day," said Alan Stern, associated administrator for NASA's science Mission directorate, in a statement.

MESSENGER will measure the mineral and chemical composition of Mercury's surface,...