New captivating images of Mercury’s surface have emerged as the BepiColombo mission prepares to orbit the solar system’s closest planet in late 2026. These breathtaking visuals, taken during the spacecraft’s most recent flyby on January 8, showcase Mercury’s unique features and terrain.
Since its launch in 2018, the BepiColombo spacecraft, a collaborative endeavor between European and Japanese space agencies, has successfully navigated six flybys of Mercury. Each pass has been pivotal in slowing the spacecraft and refining its trajectory for future orbital insertion. While the sophisticated scientific instruments remain uninitialized, the monitoring cameras have provided some of the closest and clearest images of the innermost planet.
Three striking images from the recent flyby, captured from approximately 300 kilometers above Mercury’s surface, highlight the stark contrast between sunlight and shadow across the planet’s northern region. Notably, the images illustrate the terminator line, where sunlight meets darkness, revealing Mercury’s extreme temperature variances—scorching heat on sunlit areas versus frigid conditions in permanently shadowed craters.
One striking feature observed is the crater Tolkien, which showcases the sunlit central peak amidst a shadow-filled base. Scientists have detected potential signs of frozen water in these shadowed regions, making it a critical objective of the BepiColombo mission to investigate the presence and quantity of this water.
Additionally, the expansive volcanic plains known as Borealis Planitia were also revealed during the flyby. Geologists believe these plains were created by extensive lava flows over three billion years ago that reshaped earlier craters. The smooth terrain is punctuated by more recent impact craters, offering insights into Mercury’s geological history.
The colossal Caloris Basin, Mercury’s most significant crater at 1,500 kilometers wide, can be seen in the imagery, presenting a lighter-colored area extending from the horizon. Researchers aim to unravel the interconnection between this feature, the Borealis Planitia, and surrounding solidified lava flows once BepiColombo begins its orbital mission.
The images also highlight Nathair Facula, a bright region believed to be the remnant of Mercury’s largest volcanic eruption. This area contains a significant volcanic vent, which is thought to have produced several massive eruptions spewing material across extensive regions. Understanding Nathair Facula is crucial for scientists aiming to discern the factors behind Mercury’s ongoing volcanic activity.
