‘Messenger’ discovers ice on Mercury's north pole
NASA’s Mercury-orbiting probe, Messenger, has confirmed a vast amount of ice at the north pole on Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun.
Mercury’s north pole is always in shadows. The South pole is also believed to harbor ice but there is little data to support it.
Messenger which was launched in 2004 orbits much closer to the north pole than the south.
As per scientists, the water almost certainly came from impacting comets, or possibly asteroids. Ice is found at the surface, as well as buried beneath a dark material, likely organic.
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Month: Current Affairs - December, 2012
Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs