Mercury at the Dawn of a New Exploration Phase.

Del Vecchio, Edoardo; Zomerdijk-Russell, Sophia; Buoninfante, Salvatore · Nat Commun · 2026

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Abstract

Mercury’s massive metallic core, volatile-rich surface, and extreme space environment establish it as a key end-member in understanding terrestrial planet formation and evolution. With the imminent arrival of the BepiColombo mission, the planet now stands at the threshold of a transformative exploration phase.