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The Sun was barely above the horizon when this image was obtained, and the strong shadows emphasize the ruggedness of the terrain. The surface appears to be almost completely covered by -- or saturated with -- relatively small impact craters (about 2 to 3 km in diameter). Many of these may be secondary craters from a large impact in the vicinity, but it is difficult to tell from which one these small craters originate.
This image was acquired as part of MDIS's high-resolution surface morphology base map. The surface morphology base map covers more than 99% of Mercury's surface with an average resolution of 200 meters/pixel. Images acquired for the surface morphology base map typically are obtained at off-vertical Sun angles (i.e., high incidence angles) and have visible shadows so as to reveal clearly the topographic form of geologic features.
Date acquired: January 05, 2012
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 234240885
Image ID: 1226465
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filter: 7 (748 nanometers)
Center Latitude: 77.7°
Center Longitude: 214.9° E
Resolution: 137 meters/pixel
Scale: The scene is about 88 km (55 mi.) wide
Incidence Angle: 88.4°
Emission Angle: 39.7°
Phase Angle: 128.1°
North is up in this image.
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
This image crosses the terminator, the transition between day and night. An observer located on Kosho's illuminated central peak at the time this image was taken would see the sun setting over the horizon. This image, which shows the area just to the north of Kosho, was taken immediately before the image featured here.
This image was acquired as part of MDIS's high-incidence-angle base map. The high-incidence-angle base map complements the surface morphology base map of MESSENGER's primary mission that was acquired under generally more moderate incidence angles. High incidence angles, achieved when the Sun is near the horizon, result in long shadows that accentuate the small-scale topography of geologic features. The high-incidence-angle base map was acquired with an average resolution of 200 meters/pixel.
Date acquired: December 09, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 28935228
Image ID: 5350994
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filter: 7 (748 nanometers)
Center Latitude: 60.08°
Center Longitude: 223.9° E
Resolution: 166 meters/pixel
Scale: Kosho crater is ~65 km (40 mi.) in diameter.
Incidence Angle: 91.6°
Emission Angle: 50.4°
Phase Angle: 142.0°
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
This image features a ghost crater ~55 km (34 mi.) in diameter near its center. The crater was likely flooded by the lava that formed the Suisei Planitia. The crater rim and central peaks can still be seen, despite their burial, and the area was showered by secondary craters from a subsequent impact event.
This image was acquired as part of MDIS's high-incidence-angle base map. The high-incidence-angle base map complements the surface morphology base map of MESSENGER's primary mission that was acquired under generally more moderate incidence angles. High incidence angles, achieved when the Sun is near the horizon, result in long shadows that accentuate the small-scale topography of geologic features. The high-incidence-angle base map was acquired with an average resolution of 200 meters/pixel.
Date acquired: December 09, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 28935167
Image ID: 5350993
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filter: 7 (748 nanometers)
Center Latitude: 63.17°
Center Longitude: 219.7° E
Resolution: 157 meters/pixel
Scale: The ghost crater near the center of the image is approximately 55 km (34 mi.) in diameter.
Incidence Angle: 89.6°
Emission Angle: 52.4°
Phase Angle: 142.0°
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
This image, taken at a high emission angle, helps the eye to see the three-dimensional nature of the scene. Dürer, a peak-ring basin, can be seen in the foreground. Dürer's peak ring is dotted with hollows. North is to the left in this image.
This image was acquired as part of MDIS's high-incidence-angle base map. The high-incidence-angle base map complements the surface morphology base map of MESSENGER's primary mission that was acquired under generally more moderate incidence angles. High incidence angles, achieved when the Sun is near the horizon, result in long shadows that accentuate the small-scale topography of geologic features. The high-incidence-angle base map was acquired with an average resolution of 200 meters/pixel.
Date acquired: November 16, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 26946160
Image ID: 5209643
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filter: 7 (748 nanometers)
Center Latitude: 20.68°
Center Longitude: 244.9° E
Resolution: 236 meters/pixel
Scale: Dürer basin is approximately 195 km (121 mi.) in diameter.
Incidence Angle: 67.1°
Emission Angle: 62.9°
Phase Angle: 30.0°
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
MESSENGER has now surpassed 200,000 images acquired from orbit about Mercury! And there are still many more to come. In particular, acquiring NAC images when the spacecraft is closest to the planet is a priority for the remainder of the mission; such images will allow the highest resolution views of Mercury's surface to be captured. The four-image mosaic shown here is one of the first from the MDIS low-altitude imaging campaign. Among the details revealed are hollows that appear to have formed in one layer in the wall of this 15-kilometer-diameter crater.
This image was acquired as part of the MDIS low-altitude imaging campaign. During MESSENGER's second extended mission, the spacecraft makes a progressively closer approach to Mercury's surface than at any previous point in the mission, enabling the acquisition of high-spatial-resolution data. For spacecraft altitudes below 350 kilometers, NAC images are acquired with pixel scales ranging from 20 meters to as little as 2 meters.
Date acquired: December 05, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 28560063, 65, 67, 69
Image ID: 5324381-84
Instrument: Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
Center Latitude: 72.4°
Center Longitude: 124.9° E
Resolution: 16 meters/pixel
Scale: The height and width of each image is 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles)
Incidence Angle: 73.4°
Emission Angle: 10.8°
Phase Angle: 81.9°
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
Today's image features the central peak complex of a large, unnamed crater on the plains surrounding the Caloris basin, roughly 400 km (250 mi) northwest of the crater Munch. The image has been stretched to highlight the details of the hollows that are forming on the crests of the peaks. The bright hollows on Mercury stand out in stark contrast to the low reflectance material with which they are frequently associated.
This image was acquired as a high-resolution targeted observation. Targeted observations are images of a small area on Mercury's surface at resolutions much higher than the 200-meter/pixel morphology base map. It is not possible to cover all of Mercury's surface at this high resolution, but typically several areas of high scientific interest are imaged in this mode each week.
Date acquired: July 05, 2011
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 218374017
Image ID: 466629
Instrument: Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
Center Latitude: 47.45°
Center Longitude: 145.6° E
Resolution: 30 meters/pixel
Scale: The image is about 31 km (19 mi.) wide
Incidence Angle: 48.0°
Emission Angle: 5.6°
Phase Angle: 53.7°
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
The fiery yellow spots that stand out against the lower reflectance plains in this image are a series of pyroclastic vents stretching from roughly -60° latitude, within the crater Hesiod, to about -51° latitude. These vents are believed to have been the origins of explosive eruptions, driven by volcanic gases. Though they can be found across Mercury, this region contains one of the largest clusters of vents on the planet.
This image was acquired as a targeted color observation. Targeted color observations are images of a small area on Mercury's surface at resolutions higher than the 1-kilometer/pixel 8-color base map. During MESSENGER's one-year primary mission, hundreds of targeted color observations were obtained. During MESSENGER's extended mission, high-resolution targeted color observations are more rare, as the 3-color base map covered Mercury's northern hemisphere with the highest-resolution color images that are possible.
Date acquired: August 02, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 17789351, 17789371, 17789355
Image ID: 4558440, 4558445, 4558441
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filters: 9, 7, 6 (996, 748, 433 nanometers) in red, green, and blue
Center Latitude: -52.65°
Center Longitude: 329.5° E
Resolution: 777 meters/pixel
Scale: This image is about 725 km (450 mi.) wide at the top.
Center Incidence Angle: 58.9°
Center Emission Angle: 59.2°
Center Phase Angle: 28.0°
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
The hollows-covered floor of Kertesz, located near the center of this image, distinguishes it from the other craters in this enhanced-color scene. A 3-kilometer crater also features prominently in this image despite its small size, due to its extensive set of young, bright rays. Both of these features are located on the floor of the great Caloris basin, which is a host to a variety of interesting tectonic features, including the troughs visible on the east side of this image.
This image was acquired as a high-resolution targeted color observation. Targeted color observations are images of a small area on Mercury's surface at resolutions higher than the 1-kilometer/pixel 8-color base map. During MESSENGER's one-year primary mission, hundreds of targeted color observations were obtained. During MESSENGER's extended mission, high-resolution targeted color observations are more rare, as the 3-color base map covered Mercury's northern hemisphere with the highest-resolution color images that are possible.
Date acquired: November 01, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 25622919, 25622939, 25622923
Image ID: 5115429, 5115434, 5115430
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filters: 9, 7, 6 (996, 748, 433 nanometers) in red, green, and blue
Center Latitude: 27.16°
Center Longitude: 146.1° E
Resolution: 272 meters/pixel
Scale: Kertesz has a diameter of 32 kilometers (20 miles)
Incidence Angle: 42.4°
Emission Angle: 36.9°
Phase Angle: 78.2°
Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
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