Photo Agency - Astronomy - Space - Nature

> Mercury's horizon by Messenger- Oct 6 2008

Mercury's horizon by Messenger- Oct 6 2008

author: Nasa/JHUAPL/ Carnegie Institution of Washington/Novapix

reference: a-mer04-00018

Image Size 300 DPI: 9 * 9 cm

This image shows a portion of Mercury in previously unseen terrain, taken as MESSENGER approached the planet during its second flyby. This view is looking out toward the limb of the planet (north is to the image right). In the foreground is a region of rough, heavily cratered terrain; a large, ancient two-ring impact basin may be seen at the bottom center of the image. In the distance is a region of younger, tectonically modified smooth plains that have been pockmarked by small craters. The origin of smooth plains on Mercury remains a topic of active inquiry by the MESSENGER team.

Keywords for this photo:

2008 - ASTRONOMY - BLACK AND WHITE - CRATER - IMPACT CRATER - LIMB - MERCURY - MESSENGER - PLANET -