SECCHI Uncovers What? Near Mercury

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In summary, the conversation discusses a video showing stop-action footage of an illuminated object on Mercury's day side. The participants question what this object could be, with one suggesting it may be the front edge of a gas cloud on the sunward side of the planet. The conversation is ultimately shut down and a link to the video is deemed unnecessary.
  • #1
DoggerDan
Interesting video. Nice stop-action at 2:12 min.

I don't believe in aliens, so what might this actually be?

Mercury's day side is hot enough (upwards of 800 deg F) to create some serious off-gassing. It's surface gravity is significant at 0.38 g, but it has no atmosphere to speak of.

Could this illuminated "object" merely be the front edge of a gas cloud to the sunward side of the planet? If not, what else might it be?
 
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  • #2
Link?
 

1. What is SECCHI and how does it work?

SECCHI stands for Sun-Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation. It is an instrument on board NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission that observes the Sun and its corona, as well as the space in between the Sun and Earth. It works by taking images of the Sun in different wavelengths of light, allowing scientists to study solar activity and its effects on Earth.

2. What did SECCHI uncover near Mercury?

SECCHI uncovered a coronal mass ejection (CME) near Mercury. This is a large burst of solar material and magnetic fields that can be released by the Sun and travel through space. CMEs can have significant impacts on Earth's space environment, including disrupting satellite communications and causing auroras.

3. Why is it important to study Mercury's space environment?

Studying Mercury's space environment is important because it can give us a better understanding of how the Sun's activity affects other planets in our solar system. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and experiences extreme conditions, making it a valuable source of information for studying the Sun and its effects on the rest of the solar system.

4. How does SECCHI's observations near Mercury contribute to our understanding of space weather?

SECCHI's observations near Mercury contribute to our understanding of space weather by providing valuable data on how CMEs and other solar activity can impact the space environment around the planet. This information can help us better predict and prepare for potential effects on Earth and other planets.

5. What other discoveries has SECCHI made?

In addition to uncovering a CME near Mercury, SECCHI has also observed numerous other solar events, including solar flares and coronal loops. It has also captured images of the Sun's atmosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. These discoveries have helped scientists gain a better understanding of the Sun and its effects on our solar system.

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