Daily Current Affairs : 10-September-2024
BepiColombo, a groundbreaking space mission, recently achieved a major milestone by performing its closest flyby of Mercury. This flyby allowed scientists to capture detailed black-and-white images of the planet’s surface, offering new insights into its mysterious features. The spacecraft’s close approach to Mercury also provided the first clear view of the planet’s south pole, revealing unique crater structures, such as the peak ring basins. This flyby marks an exciting step in the mission’s journey to uncover the secrets of the innermost planet in our solar system.
Key Findings from the Flyby
During the flyby, BepiColombo took high-resolution images that provided crucial information about Mercury’s surface features. Some of the significant findings include:
- Mercury’s South Pole: The flyby gave scientists a clear view of Mercury’s southern hemisphere, which had previously been difficult to observe from Earth.
- Unique Crater Structures: The spacecraft revealed interesting geological features, such as peak ring basins, which are large, circular crater formations with a unique internal structure.
These discoveries help scientists understand the planet’s history and geological processes, contributing to a broader understanding of Mercury’s evolution.
About the BepiColombo Mission
BepiColombo is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan’s JAXA, launched on October 20, 2018. The mission is named after Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo, an Italian scientist who contributed to the understanding of Mercury’s orbit.
The spacecraft consists of two components:
- Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO): This part of the mission, managed by ESA, will focus on studying Mercury’s surface, composition, and geological history.
- Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO): Managed by JAXA, this component will investigate Mercury’s magnetic field and exosphere.
BepiColombo’s primary goal is to explore Mercury’s composition, geology, magnetic field, and its exosphere. The spacecraft will also help test principles of general relativity, providing valuable data to scientists.
Mission Delays and Future Plans
Although the mission has faced some delays, it is still on track to begin orbiting Mercury in 2026. Despite these challenges, scientists are eagerly anticipating the wealth of information BepiColombo will provide. The mission’s results are expected to deepen our understanding of Mercury’s formation, its unusual features, and its role in the solar system.
Important Points:
- BepiColombo’s Flyby of Mercury: Achieved its closest flyby, capturing detailed black-and-white images of Mercury’s surface.
- First Clear View of Mercury’s South Pole: The flyby provided the first clear view of the planet’s south pole, which had been difficult to observe before.
- Discovery of Unique Crater Structures: The mission revealed interesting geological features like peak ring basins, large circular craters with unique internal structures.
- Mission Details:
- BepiColombo is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan’s JAXA.
- Launched on October 20, 2018, and named after Italian scientist Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo.
- Two Components of BepiColombo:
- Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO): Managed by ESA, will study Mercury’s surface, composition, and geological history.
- Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO): Managed by JAXA, will explore Mercury’s magnetic field and exosphere.
- Mission Goals: To study Mercury’s composition, geology, magnetic field, exosphere, and test principles of general relativity.
- Delays in Mission: Although the mission has faced delays, BepiColombo is expected to begin orbiting Mercury in 2026.
- Future Expectations: Scientists are excited about the mission’s potential to uncover Mercury’s many mysteries and contribute to a deeper understanding of the solar system.
Why In News
BepiColombo recently completed its closest flyby of Mercury, capturing stunning black-and-white images that revealed the planet’s heavily cratered surface, providing scientists with valuable data to better understand its geological history and surface features.
MCQs about BepiColombo’s Historic Flyby of Mercury
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What was a key discovery during BepiColombo’s closest flyby of Mercury?
A. The first images of Mercury’s north pole
B. The discovery of water on Mercury
C. The first clear view of Mercury’s south pole
D. The first images of Mercury’s moon
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What are the two main components of the BepiColombo spacecraft?
A. Mercury Surface Probe (MSP) and Mercury Orbiter (MO)
B. Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
C. Mercury Orbital Surveyor (MOS) and Mercury Space Probe (MSP)
D. Mercury Research Satellite (MRS) and Mercury Geology Satellite (MGS)
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What was the primary goal of the BepiColombo mission?
A. To map the entire surface of the moon
B. To study the geological history, composition, and magnetic field of Mercury
C. To collect samples from the atmosphere of Venus
D. To study the gravitational effects on Mars
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When was BepiColombo launched, and when will it begin orbiting Mercury?
A. Launched in 2015, will orbit in 2023
B. Launched in 2018, will orbit in 2026
C. Launched in 2020, will orbit in 2024
D. Launched in 2017, will orbit in 2025
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