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Solar System Series #1 – Mercury Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

but_did_u_die: Archiving this series, thought it would get more activity than it has. Too much work to see it to completion. Cache on (just not with this series)!

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Hidden : 3/14/2020
Difficulty:
5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


Welcome to the Solar System Series (S3)! S3 will comprise a total of 13 mystery caches which will require your mind to go to cosmic levels to solve. The difficulty ratings will always be high, but terrain ratings will always be low. You will need to think on higher levels and beyond the surface.... to put differently, think cosmically! I highly recommend completing the solves in order. Are you up for the challenge of S3? 

S3 FTF LEADERBOARD:

1. MERCURY - StealthCowboy, Shrektrician, graniteman84, & Pod227

2. VENUS - TBD

3. EARTH - TBD

4. MARS - TBD

S3 SERIES COMPLETION LEADERBOARD:

(Will unlock when all 13 caches are released)

***********

S3 #1 – Terrestrial Planets – MERCURY

The Planet Mercury is the first planet in our solar system and the closest to the Sun. It is the smallest planet as well (not considering Pluto, for all of us pre-2006 students). It does not have moons, rings, or an atmosphere.  Do some additional research on Mercury to get the answers you need below, and use some critical thinking as well. "Mercury" is designed to warm you up on the style of this series. wink

The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. The cache is located at:

N38 55.EPA  W121 03.CIB

Fill in the blanks below, then take the last number of the answer, add/subtract the appropriate number, and input into the coordinates above.

Example:  "J: The year this cache was published is ___. +3" The answer is 2020, so take the 0 from 2020 and add 3. The number 3 would then be used to substitute J. 

P: The length of Mercury’s year in Earth days is ___ (rounded). -5

A: Mercury went dark in ___ (most recent year). +1

C: When charted, Mercury’s number position changes to ___. +3

E: Solar is one of ___ major sources of energy for Mercury. +0

B: Mercury got it’s official name “Mercury” in ___. +1

I: Mercury was formed in the year ___ (official record). +2

Once solved, head to the coordinates. Be sure to bring your TOTT with you as you will need one to sign the log. Cache on! yes

To check your answer: 


You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gurer ner 6 uvagf va gur qrfpevcgvba...

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)