Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Mercury's Surface in Exaggerated Color

NASA ^ | June 16, 2011 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: The robotic MESSENGER spacecraft recently completed over 100 orbits of Mercury. Messenger's cameras have recorded detailed pictures utilizing eight different colors across visible and near infrared light, exploring the surface composition and looking for clues to the history and evolution of the solar system's innermost planet. This sharp image combines three of the MESSENGER wide angle camera's colors, but in exaggerated fashion. Otherwise, to the unaided human eye, Mercury's surface colors would appear comparatively muted. The image is about 1,000 kilometers across and features as small as a single kilometer are discernible at the original resolution. Today, the Messenger project will release new images and science findings from the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: NASA/JHU APL/CIW]

[SunkenCiv]

May be of interest to whomever maintains the Steve Miller Band ping list.

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[samtheman]

Now that’s a scarred surface. Makes the moon look smooth.

[BigCinBigD]

Have we been shooting paint balls at Mercury?

[momtothree]

I never knew Mercury’s surface looked like this! You truly educate me every, single day. You’re a gem!

[Oceander]

Wow! I know the image is in false color, but still, it looks like a metal base-plate that’s been used repeatedly as a support base for a welding operation - or like the base plate on my Estes rocket launcher after I’d been using it for a while.

Thanks, once again, for posting such amazing pics.

[RadiationRomeo]

With that satellite orbiting Mercury there should be enough imagery for Google Earth to add Mercury.

[cripplecreek]

Not the most colorful place.

[left that other site]

Great Close-up!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Looks like birdie took a big plop on it.

[TheOldLady]

Ah, the continuing series of up-close-and-personal looks at the planets, moons, and sun of our solar system. Excellent, Civ. And excellent Civ, too.

[SunkenCiv]

thanks!