Nel sito della NASA viene oggi riportata la fotografia di Mercurio
ripresa dalla sonda MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging)
lanciata il 3 agosto 2004, progettata per studiare le caratteristiche e
l'ambiente del pianeta Mercurio. Il 18 marzo 2011 è entrata in orbita
ermeocentrica.
Explanation: The colors of the solar system's innermost planet are enhanced in this tantalizing view, based on global image data from
the Mercury-orbiting MESSENGER spacecraft. Human eyes would not discern the clear color
differences but they are real none the less, indicating distinct chemical,
mineralogical, and physical regions across the cratered surface. Notable at the upper right, Mercury's large,
circular, tan colored feature known as the Caloris basin was created by an
impacting comet or asteroid during the solar system's early years. The ancient basin was subsequently
flooded with lava from volcanic activity, analogous to the formation of the lunar maria. Color contrasts also make the light blue and
white young crater rays, material blasted out by recent impacts, easy to follow
as they extend across a darker blue, low reflectance terrain.
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
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