00:00Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, residing just 36 million miles from our solar
00:08system's center.
00:09However, not too far above its surface, the European Space Agency's BepiColombo probe
00:14has taken the most detailed photos of the first planet ever.
00:18These images were captured just 183 miles above the surface of the planet, meaning these
00:23were taken at a distance of about 70 miles closer to Mercury than the International Space
00:27Station is to Earth.
00:28This one in particular shows just what a dichotomy of atmospheric conditions awaits
00:32anything on the surface.
00:33While in the Sun, temperatures reach beyond 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
00:37Meanwhile, any areas not touched by its light drop to around minus 292 degrees Fahrenheit.
00:43BepiColombo's mission began way back in 2018 and is now set to figure out how Mercury works,
00:49including deciphering its peculiar magnetic field.
00:52Mercury also has a ton of carbon present near its surface, which experts say could actually
00:56be a layer of diamond.
00:58The next step includes the release of two more Mercury orbiters.
01:01However, these are the closest images set to be taken during the entirety of the mission.
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