Do you remember the @BepiColombo spacecraft? Yes, the one that was launched in October 2018, destination: Mercury. On 10 April it& #39;s coming back to Earth for a quick visit to harness some of our planet& #39;s gravity & continue its journey #BepiColomboEarthFlyby
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/ESA_to_conduct_BepiColombo_flyby_amid_coronavirus_crisis">https://www.esa.int/Science_E...

Getting to Mercury is not easy! This is why #BepiColombo is coming back on 10 April for the 1st of 9 gravity-assist flybys – 2 more at Venus + 6 at Mercury – along the mission& #39;s 7-year long journey #BepiColomboEarthFlyby
Find out more about this manoeuvre: https://esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/Why_is_BepiColombo_back">https://esa.int/Enabling_...

Why is #BepiColombo going to #Mercury, you ask? Because the smallest & innermost planet in our Solar System is full of mysteries!
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔹" title="Small blue diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small blue diamond">Where did it form?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔹" title="Small blue diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small blue diamond">Is there really water?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔹" title="Small blue diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small blue diamond">Is it dead or alive?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔹" title="Small blue diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small blue diamond">Why is it so dark?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔹" title="Small blue diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small blue diamond">What about its magnetic field?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉" title="Right pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index"> https://esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/Top_Five_Mercury_mysteries_that_BepiColombo_will_solve">https://esa.int/Science_E...

And even before #BepiColombo gets to #Mercury, scientists will test & calibrate their instruments during the flybys. Several are switched on and taking data around Earth, as shown in this infographic (sizes & distances not to scale!) #BepiColomboEarthFlyby
http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/04/BepiColombo_s_first_and_only_Earth_flyby">https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multi...

So, where is #BepiColombo right now? Closing in on Earth, less than 200,000 km away. At 05:25 BST/06:25 CEST on 10 April, the spacecraft comes to closest approach: 12,700 km from our planet& #39;s surface. You can follow its journey here: https://bepicolombo.esac.esa.int/itl-viewer/where/
https://bepicolombo.esac.esa.int/itl-viewe... href="https://www.twtext.com//hashtag/BepiColomboEarthFlyby"> #BepiColomboEarthFlyby

#BepiColomboEarthFlyby" title="So, where is #BepiColombo right now? Closing in on Earth, less than 200,000 km away. At 05:25 BST/06:25 CEST on 10 April, the spacecraft comes to closest approach: 12,700 km from our planet& #39;s surface. You can follow its journey here: https://bepicolombo.esac.esa.int/itl-viewe... href="https://www.twtext.com//hashtag/BepiColomboEarthFlyby"> #BepiColomboEarthFlyby" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

A few hours ago, one of the selfie cameras on #BepiColombo – yes, the spacecraft carries 3 GoPro-style #selfie cameras – took some amazing snapshots of #Earth, our beautiful marble planet! And it will take more as it keeps closing in #BepiColomboEarthFlyby
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/04/BepiColombo_closing_in_on_Earth_ahead_of_flyby">https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multi...

So, if #BepiColombo sees Earth can we – on Earth – see it as it zips across the sky? Well, it depends on your location + you will need binoculars or a small telescope. If you manage to snap a photo, let us know – but stay safe! #BepiColomboEarthFlyBy
Info: https://esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/Spot_BepiColombo_during_its_goodbye_flyby">https://esa.int/Science_E...

For news on the flyby and more selfies with planet Earth, follow the accounts of the three mission components:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔸" title="Small orange diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small orange diamond"> @ESA_Bepi
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔸" title="Small orange diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small orange diamond"> @JAXA_MMO
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔸" title="Small orange diamond" aria-label="Emoji: Small orange diamond"> @ESA_MTM

Live updates also via @esaoperations https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🛰️" title="Satellite" aria-label="Emoji: Satellite">
#BepiColomboEarthFlyby #StayTuned

More about this exciting mission:
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo">https://www.esa.int/Science_E...

After the flyby, at 17:00 CEST on 10 April, we will host a live chat on #ESAwebTV with mission experts from @ESA as well as #BepiColombo scientists from @JAXA_en @DLR_en @tuBraunschweig @WWU_Muenster @mediainaf
Join us at https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/ESA_Web_TV">https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multi... #BepiColomboEarthFlyby #StayTuned