Mercury, the solar system’s forgotten planet, is finally getting its place in the sun.

An analysis of data collected during the January flyby of the spacecraft MESSENGER — which will begin a year-long orbit of Mercury in 2011 — has revealed the origin of the planet’s magnetic field, discovered evidence of early volcanic activity and provided a first look at the planet’s surface composition.http://Louissheehan.BraveDiary.com

Researchers describe their findings in the July 4 Science.

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