This image, chosen as the Astronomy Picture of the Day, shows a view of Mercury’s cratered surface that is remarkably similar to our own moon’s terrain. This hints at a similar volcanic past, with lava flows filling in craters and smoothing their surfaces over. This image was taken in October of 2008 by…
Tag: Mercury
Painting a Portrait of Mercury
Previously unknown before MESSENGER’s second flyby on October 6, 2008, the Rembrandt Crater is a young impact basin on the surface of Mercury. It is approximately 430 miles wide…large enough to span the distance from Washington, DC to Boston. Of course, “young” is a relative term here; the basin is estimated to be 3.9 billion…
A Cratered Crescent
The pocked and pitted surface of Mercury comes into view in this image from the Messenger spacecraft, taken during its approach on October 6, 2008. Messenger has one more flyby of Mercury to complete in September of this year before it finally maneuvers into orbit in 2011. It will be the first spacecraft to…
Message From Mercury
In 2011 the Messenger spacecraft will be the first to enter into orbit around Mercury. While it performs its flyby maneuvers prior to establishing orbit, photos are being sent back revealing a thoroughly cratered surface. In this photo, taken on October 6, 2008, half of the 120-mile wide crater Stravinsky is seen pressing against the…
Lights in the Dark 