NASA released today new hi-resolution photos of Mercury showing a previously unseen side of the planet. They are the first images of the planet closest to the sun taken in more than 30 years.The satellite MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging probe), launched in 2004, nabbed hundreds of photos during its second fly-by on Oct. 6. Scientists hope the probe will swing into orbit around the scorching planet by March 2011, making it the first spacecraft ever to do so.

The satellite is equipped with the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS). From NASA: “This instrument consists of wide-angle and narrow-angle imagers that will map landforms, track variations in surface spectra and gather topographic information. A pivot platform will help point it in whatever direction the scientists choose. The two instruments will enable MESSENGER to ’see’ much like our two eyes do.”

In a pioneering display of digitally transmitted photography, the Mariner 10 satellite took dozens of photos of Mercury during three fly-bys in the 1970s and sent them back to Earth. These recent photos taken by MESSENGER show many of the same craters scientists identified back then.

The Mariner 10 is now orbiting the sun. The MESSENGER is expected to remain in orbit around Mercury for about a year.

Below are a few samples. Like all images NASA releases, you are free to download these or photos directly from NASA’s Web site.

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