Mercury’s Surface
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These are the first two really close images of Mercury’s surface.
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The image on the left was taken just 21 minutes after Messenger’s closest approach and if you can click the image you can (more easily) see images only 300 meters (or 300 yards) across! This image is near the equator and is from an area never before seen.
You can read the press release for this image here at the Messenger page and get the full sized image.
The image on the right, also an area never seen before, shows a magnificant impact crater. This cratger and the large one to the upper left seems to have a odd structure, more like a big chip was taken out of the surface. It will be interesting to hear what the Messenger has to say about them once they have a chance to take a breath. You can see a larger image by clicking on the one here.
You can read the press release for this image here at the Messenger page and get the full sized image.
Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
I was totally unaware of this mission before I picked it up on your blog… Kudos again! I just read the mission statement and the phrase “fraught with dangers” comes to mind; orbital insertion in March 2011!!! Man, a lot can happen between now and then.
I suppose what concerns me most is the proximity to the sun. A burp, hiccup, cough, or poot and the whole thing is down the tubes. I don’t know how much relevant and useful data we’ll get form this apart from satisfying our curiosity but the ongoing success of Spirit and Opportunity is a hard act to follow. If Messenger actually lives until orbital insertion and still sends back useful data it will be right up there with the Martian Twins!
As always, Tom, thanks for your efforts. I’m a richer and certainly better-informed person from your association with the scientific community. Not money rich, you understand… Before you hit me up for a grant or donation.