Image: EW1027346412Gnomap

Description: The Tolstoj basin (355 km in diameter) can be seen at the bottom edge of the frame, its center filled with smooth plains and surrounded by a large region of low-reflectance ejecta. The fresh, bright-rayed crater Nureyev is visible near the limb. This image was acquired as part of MDIS's limb imaging campaign. Once per week, MDIS captures images of Mercury's limb, with an emphasis on imaging the southern hemisphere limb. These limb images provide information about Mercury's shape and complement measurements of topography made by the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) of Mercury's northern hemisphere. The MESSENGER spacecraft is the first ever to orbit the planet Mercury, and the spacecraft's seven scientific instruments and radio science investigation are unraveling the history and evolution of the Solar System's innermost planet. During the first two years of orbital operations, MESSENGER acquired over 150,000 images and extensive other data sets. MESSENGER is capable of continuing orbital operations until early 2015.
Title: EW1027346412Gnomap
Credit: Original text : from http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos/pics/EW1027346412G.nomap.png http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos/image.php?gallery_id=2&image_id=1325)
Author: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No