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Planet Mercury
Title Planet Mercury
Full Description Mariner 10's first image of Mercury acquired on March 24, 1974. During its flight, Mariner 10's trajectory brought it behind the lighted hemisphere of Mercury, where this image was taken, in order to acquire important measurements with other instruments. This picture was acquired from a distance of 3,340,000 miles (5,380,000 km) from the surface of Mercury. The diameter of Mercury (3,031 miles, 4,878 km) is about 1/3 that of Earth. Images of Mercury were acquired in two steps, an inbound leg (images acquired before passing into Mercury's shadow) and an outbound leg (after exiting from Mercury's shadow). More than 2300 useful images of Mercury were taken, both moderate resolution (3-20 km/pixel) color and high resolution (better than 1 km/pixel) black and white coverage.
Date 03/24/1974
NASA Center Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Planet Mercury
title Planet Mercury
date 03.24.1974
description Mariner 10's first image of Mercury acquired on March 24, 1974. During its flight, Mariner 10's trajectory brought it behind the lighted hemisphere of Mercury, where this image was taken, in order to acquire important measurements with other instruments. This picture was acquired from a distance of 3,340,000 miles (5,380,000 km) from the surface of Mercury. The diameter of Mercury (3,031 miles, 4,878 km) is about 1/3 that of Earth. Images of Mercury were acquired in two steps, an inbound leg (images acquired before passing into Mercury's shadow) and an outbound leg (after exiting from Mercury's shadow). More than 2300 useful images of Mercury were taken, both moderate resolution (3-20 km/pixel) color and high resolution (better than 1 km/pixel) black and white coverage. *Image Credit*: NASA
Brahms Crater
title Brahms Crater
date 03.30.1974
description Thirty years ago, NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft made the first of three passes by Mercury, sending back intriguing images of the planet's battered terrain. NASA will launch the world's second probe to Mercury - named MESSENGER - this summer.This image of the crater was taken on the first flyby. Note the central peak. North is up. (Mariner 10, Atlas of Mercury, Fig. 3-2) This crater (98 km diameter) illustrates the narrow hummocky rim facies, radial ridges, and surrounding extensive field of secondary craters. The well-developed interior terraces and central peaks are typical for mercurian craters in this size range. Note that the smaller craters in the foreground (25-km diameter) also are terraced. This image(FDS 80)was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. *Image Credi*: NASA
Planet Mercury
PIA00437
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Planet Mercury
Original Caption Released with Image Mariner 10's first image of Mercury acquired on March 24, 1974. During its flight, Mariner 10's trajectory brought it behind the lighted hemisphere of Mercury, where this image was taken, in order to acquire important measurements with other instruments. This picture was acquired from a distance of 3,340,000 miles (5,380,000 km) from the surface of Mercury. The diameter of Mercury (3,031 miles, 4,878 km) is about 1/3 that of Earth. Images of Mercury were acquired in two steps, an inbound leg (images acquired before passing into Mercury's shadow) and an outbound leg (after exiting from Mercury's shadow). More than 2300 useful images of Mercury were taken, both moderate resolution (3-20 km/pixel) color and high resolution (better than 1 km/pixel) black and white coverage.
Mercury: Closest Planet to t …
Title Mercury: Closest Planet to the Sun
Explanation This picture was compiled from images taken by the NASA spacecraft Mariner 10 which flew by the planet three times in 1974. Mercury [ http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/mercury.html ] is the closest planet to the Sun [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950813.html ], the second hottest planet (Venus gets hotter), and the second smallest planet (Pluto is smaller). Mercury [ http://www.c3.lanl.gov/~cjhamil/SolarSystem/mercury.html ] rotates so slowly that one day there - "day" meaning the normal time it takes from sunset to sunset - lasts 176 days on Earth [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950622.html ]. It is difficult to see Mercury [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-mercury.html ] not because it is dim but because it always appears near the Sun, and is therefore only visible for a short time just after sunset or just before sunrise. Mercury is made of rocky material like Earth. No one knows why Mercury has the magnetic field that it does. Tomorrow's picture: Venus: Earth's Sister Planet
Intercrater Plains and Heavi …
PIA02947
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Intercrater Plains and Heavily Cratered Terrain
Original Caption Released with Image Intercrater plains and heavily cratered terrain typical of much of Mercury outside the area affected by the formation of the Caloris basin are shown in this image (FDS 166738) taken during the spacecraft's second encounter with Mercury. Abundant shallow elongate craters and crater chains are present on the intercrater plains. North is to the top of this image, centered at 56 degrees S, 128 degrees W and 400 kilometers across. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury: Photomosaic of the …
PIA02236
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury: Photomosaic of the Kuiper Quadrangle H-6
Original Caption Released with Image The Kuiper Quadrangle was named in memory of Dr. Gerard Kuiper, a Mariner 10 Venus/Mercury imaging team member and well-known astronomer, who passed away several months before the spacecraft's arrival at Mercury. The Kuiper crater, located left of center, is the brightest and perhaps youngest crater is 60 km in diameter located at -11 degrees latitude and 31 degrees longitude. The Image Processing Lab at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory produced this photomosaic using computer software and techniques developed for use in processing planetary data. The images used to construct the Kuiper Quadrangle were taken during Mariner's first and third flybys of Mercury. The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched in 1974. The spacecraft took images of Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 images of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon during its mission. The Mariner 10 Mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C.
Mercury's Caloris Basin
title Mercury's Caloris Basin
date 03.28.1974
description Mercury: The desert closest to the sun. Computer Photomosaic of the Caloris Basin The largest basin on Mercury (1300 km or 800 miles across) was named Caloris (Greek for "hot") because it is one of the two areas on the planet that face the Sun at perihelion. The Image Processing Lab at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory produced this photomosaic using computer software and techniques developed for use in processing planetary data. The Mariner 10 spacecraft imaged the region during its initial flyby of the planet. The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched in 1974. The spacecraft took images of Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 images of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon during its mission. The Mariner 10 Mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C. *Image Credit*: NASA
Mercury: A Cratered Inferno
Title Mercury: A Cratered Inferno
Explanation Mercury's surface looks similar to our Moon's. Each is heavily cratered [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960906.html ] and made of rock. Mercury [ http://www.nineplanets.org/mercury.html ]'s diameter is about 4800 km, while the Moon [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/moon.html ]'s is slightly less at about 3500 km (compared with about 12,700 km for the Earth [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/earth.html ]). But Mercury [ http://www.oulu.fi/~spaceweb/textbook/mercury.html ] is unique in many ways. Mercury [ http://www.hawastsoc.org/solar/eng/mercury.htm ] is the closest planet to the Sun [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960518.html ], orbiting at about 1/3 the radius of the Earth's orbit [ http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/seasons_orbit.html ]. As Mercury [ http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome/mercury.htm ] slowly rotates, its surface temperature varies from an unbearably "cold" -180 degrees Celsius [ http://www.athena.ivv.nasa.gov/curric/weather/fahrcels.html ] to an unbearably hot 400 degrees Celsius [ http://www.astro.uu.se/history/Celsius_eng.html ]. The place nearest the Sun [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap980830.html ] in Mercury [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-mercury.html ]'s orbit changes slightly each orbit - a fact used by Albert Einstein [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000108.html ] to help verify the correctness of his then newly discovered theory of gravity: General Relativity [ http://www-groups.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/~history/HistTopics/General_relativity.html ]. The above picture [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/imgcat/html/object_page/m10_aom_18.html ] was taken by the only spacecraft ever to pass Mercury [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/mercury.html ]: Mariner 10 [ http://www.hawastsoc.org/solar/eng/marin10.htm ] in 1974.
Mercury: A Cratered Inferno
Title Mercury: A Cratered Inferno
Explanation Mercury's surface looks similar to our Moon's. Each is heavily cratered [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960906.html ] and made of rock. Mercury [ http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/mercury.html ]'s diameter is about 4800 km, while the Moon [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950707.html ]'s is slightly less at about 3500 km (compared with about 12,700 km for the Earth [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap971026.html ]). But Mercury [ http://www.oulu.fi/~spaceweb/textbook/mercury.html ] is unique in many ways. Mercury [ http://bang.lanl.gov/solarsys/mercury.htm ] is the closest planet to the Sun [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960518.html ], orbiting at about 1/3 the radius of the Earth's orbit. As Mercury [ http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome/mercury.htm ] slowly rotates, its surface temperature varies from an unbearably "cold" -180 degrees Celsius [ http://www.athena.ivv.nasa.gov/curric/weather/fahrcels.html ] to an unbearably hot 400 degrees Celsius [ http://144.26.13.41/phyhist/celsius.htm ]. The place nearest the Sun [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950813.html ] in Mercury [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/PhotoGallery-Mercury.html ]'s orbit changes slightly each orbit - a fact used by Albert Einstein [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap951219.html ] to help verify the correctness of his then newly discovered theory of gravity: General Relativity [ http://rainbow.uchicago.edu/efi/general_relativity.txt.html ]. The above picture [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/imgcat/html/object_page/m10_aom_18.html ] was taken by the only spacecraft ever to pass Mercury [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/lib/mercury.html ]: Mariner 10 [ http://bang.lanl.gov/solarsys/marin10.htm ] in 1974.
Mercury: A Cratered Inferno
Title Mercury: A Cratered Inferno
Explanation Mercury's surface looks similar to our Moon's. Each is heavily cratered [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960906.html ] and made of rock. Mercury [ http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/mercury.html ]'s diameter is about 4800 km, while the Moon [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950707.html ]'s is slightly less at about 3500 km (compared with about 12,700 km for the Earth [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap971026.html ]). But Mercury [ http://www.oulu.fi/~spaceweb/textbook/mercury.html ] is unique in many ways. Mercury [ http://www.hawastsoc.org/solar/eng/mercury.htm ] is the closest planet to the Sun [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960518.html ], orbiting at about 1/3 the radius of the Earth's orbit. As Mercury [ http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome/mercury.htm ] slowly rotates, its surface temperature varies from an unbearably "cold" -180 degrees Celsius [ http://www.athena.ivv.nasa.gov/curric/weather/fahrcels.html ] to an unbearably hot 400 degrees Celsius [ http://144.26.13.41/phyhist/celsius.htm ]. The place nearest the Sun [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950813.html ] in Mercury [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/PhotoGallery-Mercury.html ]'s orbit changes slightly each orbit - a fact used by Albert Einstein [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap980927.html ] to help verify the correctness of his then newly discovered theory of gravity: General Relativity [ http://rainbow.uchicago.edu/efi/general_relativity.txt.html ]. The above picture [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/imgcat/html/object_page/m10_aom_18.html ] was taken by the only spacecraft ever to pass Mercury [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/lib/mercury.html ]: Mariner 10 [ http://www.hawastsoc.org/solar/eng/marin10.htm ] in 1974.
Mercury's South Pole
PIA02415
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury's South Pole
Original Caption Released with Image After passing Mercury the first time and making a trip around the Sun, Mariner 10 again flew by Mercury on September 21 at 1:59 PMPDT. This encounter brought the spacecraft in front of Mercury in the southern hemisphere. In this frame south is down, the south pole is located on the right hand edge of the large crater that has only its rim sticking up into the light (Chao Meng Fu crater). When this frame (FDS 166902) was acquired Mariner 10 was about 83,000 km from Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury's South Pole
title Mercury's South Pole
date 09.21.1974
description Mercury's south pole was photographed by one of Mariner 10's TV cameras as the spacecraft made its second close flyby of the planet September 21. The pole is located inside the large crater (180 kilometers, 110 miles) on Mercury's limb (lower center). The crater floor is shadowed and its far rim, illuminated by the sun, appears to de disconnected from the edge of the planet. Just above and to the right of the South Pole is a double ring basin about 100 kilometers (125 miles) in diameter. A bright ray system, splashed out of a 50 kilometer (30 mile) crater is seen at upper right. The stripe across the top is an artifact introduced during computer processing. The picture (FDS 166902) was taken from a distance of 85,800 kilometers (53,200 miles) less than two hours after Mariner 10 reached its closest point to the planet. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. *Image Credit*: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury: Photomosaic of Bore …
PIA02243
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury: Photomosaic of Borealis Quadrangle H-1
Original Caption Released with Image H-1 Computer Photomosaic of the Borealis Area of Mercury The Borealis Region, located in Mercury's northern hemisphere, was imaged by the Mariner 10 spacecraft during its initial approach to the planet. The north pole is visible at the top of the image. The Image Processing Lab at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory produced this photomosaic using computer software and techniques developed for use in processing planetary data. The images used to construct the Borealis photomosaic were taken during Mariner's flyby of Mercury. The Mariner 10 spacecraft imaged Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took 7,000 images of during its mission. The Mariner 10 mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science.
Mercury: Beethoven Quadrangl …
PIA02255
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury: Beethoven Quadrangle, H-7
Original Caption Released with Image Mercury: Computer Photomosaic of the Beethoven Quadrangle, H-7 The Beethoven Quadrangle, named for the 19th century classical German composer, lies in Mercury's Equatorial Mercator located between longitude 740 to 1440. The Mariner 10 spacecraft imaged the region during its initial flyby of the planet. The Image Processing Lab at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory produced this photomosaic using computer software and techniques developed for use in processing planetary data. The images used to construct the Beethoven Quadrangle were taken as Mariner 10 flew passed Mercury. The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched in 1974. The spacecraft took images of Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 images of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon during its mission. The Mariner 10 Mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C.
Lobate Scarps within the Hum …
PIA02426
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Lobate Scarps within the Hummocky Plains East of Caloris Basin
Original Caption Released with Image Plains material east of the Caloris basin is shown this image (FDS 191) acquired during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. Several west-facing lobate scarps occur in the hummocky plains interpreted as Caloris ejecta and may be short flow fronts of partially melted ejecta which flowed back toward the basin after deposition. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Large Mercurian Crater
PIA02424
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Large Mercurian Crater
Original Caption Released with Image This image (FDS 166), acquired during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury, features a 140 kilometer diameter crater and it's surrounding zone of secondary craters. The narrow width of the rim facies, the prominent subradial secondary crater chains, and grooves are representative of the larger mercurian craters. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Antoniadi Ridge
PIA02430
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Antoniadi Ridge
Original Caption Released with Image Antoniadi Ridge, over 450 kilometers long, runs along the right side of this image. The ridge transects a large crater (80-km in diameter) and in turn appears to be interrupted by an irregular rimless depression on the floor of the crater. This ridge also crosses smooth plains to the north and intercrater plains to the south of the large crater. This image (FDS 27325) was acquired during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Kuiper Crater
PIA02411
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Kuiper Crater
Original Caption Released with Image The Mariner 10 Television-Science Team has proposed the name "Kuiper" for this very conspicuous bright Mercury crater (top center) on the rim of a larger older crater. Prof. Gerard P. Kuiper, a pioneer in planetary astronomy and a member of the Mariner 10 TV team, died December 23, 1973, while the spacecraft was enroute to Venus and Mercury. Mariner took this picture (FDS 27304) from 88,450 kilometers (55,000 miles) some 2 1/2 hours before it passed Mercury on March 29. The bright-floored crater, 41 kilometers (25 miles) in diameter, is the center of a very large bright are which could be seen in pictures sent from Mariner 10 while Mercury was more than two million miles distant. The larger crater is 80 kilometers (50 miles) across. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Hero Rupes Scarp
PIA02413
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Hero Rupes Scarp
Original Caption Released with Image After passing Mercury the first time and making a trip around the Sun, Mariner 10 again flew by Mercury on September 21 at 1:59 PMPDT. This encounter brought the spacecraft in front of Mercury in the southern hemisphere. Hero Rupes, the large scarp visible running across the bottom of the image, is thought to thought to have been formed by global tectonic forces, possibly due to shrinkage of the planet as it cooled. Mariner 10 was looking obliquely across Mercury's southern hemisphere when it acquired this dramatic shot near the beginning of its southern hemisphere pass (FDS166618). The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Similarities to Lunar Highla …
PIA02414
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Similarities to Lunar Highlands
Original Caption Released with Image After passing Mercury the first time and making a trip around the Sun, Mariner 10 again flew by Mercury on September 21 at 1:59 PMPDT. This encounter brought the spacecraft in front of Mercury in the southern hemisphere. Much of Mercury looks like the lunar highlands, a scene carved by billions of years of impact craters. This image (FDS 166724)was taken when Mariner 10 was near its closest approach to the planet during the second encounter, about 50,000 km. This image is found near the center of the area not imaged during the first encounter. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Photomosaic of Mercury - Out …
PIA03104
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Photomosaic of Mercury - Outbound View
Original Caption Released with Image After passing on the darkside of the planet, Mariner 10 photographed the other, somewhat more illuminated hemisphere of Mercury. The north pole is at the top, two-thirds down from which is the equator. The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched in 1974. The spacecraft took images of Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 images of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon during its mission. The Mariner 10 Mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C.
Mercury's Caloris Basin
PIA03102
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury's Caloris Basin
Original Caption Released with Image Mercury: Computer Photomosaic of the Caloris Basin The largest basin on Mercury (1300 km or 800 miles across) was named Caloris (Greek for "hot") because it is one of the two areas on the planet that face the Sun at perihelion. The Image Processing Lab at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory produced this photomosaic using computer software and techniques developed for use in processing planetary data. The Mariner 10 spacecraft imaged the region during its initial flyby of the planet. The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched in 1974. The spacecraft took images of Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 images of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon during its mission. The Mariner 10 Mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C.
Photomosaic of Mercury - Inb …
PIA03103
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Photomosaic of Mercury - Inbound View
Original Caption Released with Image This is a mosaic of images taken of Mercury taken from 125,000 miles away. The tiny, brightly rayed crater (just below center top) was the first recognizable feature on the planet's surface and was named in memory of astronomer Gerard Kuiper, a Mariner 10 team member. The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched in 1974. The spacecraft took images of Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 images of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon during its mission. The Mariner 10 Mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C.
3D Mercury Transit
Title 3D Mercury Transit
Explanation Mercury is now [ http://www.astronomy.com/ASY/CS/forums/314872/ ShowPost.aspx ] visible shortly before dawn, the brightest "star" just above the eastern horizon. But almost two weeks ago Mercury [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap061114.html ] actually crossed the face of the Sun for the second time in the 21st century. Viewed with red/blue glasses [ http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/Help/VendorList.html ], this stereo anaglyph combines space-based images of the Sun and innermost planet in a just-for-fun 3D [ http://www.sungazer.net/3dtransit.html ] presentation of the Mercury transit [ http://www.transitofvenus.org/mercury.htm ]. The solar disk image is from Hinode [ http://solarb.msfc.nasa.gov/index.html ]. (sounds like "hee-no-day", means sunrise). A sun-staring observatory, Hinode was launched from Uchinoura Space Center and viewed the transit [ http://solar-b.nao.ac.jp/news_e/20061109_e.shtml ] from Earth orbit. Superimposed on Mercury's dark silhouette is a detailed image [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap011124.html ] of the planet's rugged surface based on data from the Mariner 10 [ http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/tmp/1973-085A.html ] probe that flew by Mercury in 1974 and 1975.
Double Ring Craters
PIA02936
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Double Ring Craters
Original Caption Released with Image A faint double ring crater is seen at upper right in this picture of Mercury (FDS 166601) taken one hour and 40 minutes before Mariner 10's second rendezvous with the planet September 21. Located 35 degrees S. Lat. The outer ring is 170 kilometers (10 miles) across. Double ring craters are common features on Mercury. This particular feature and the bright rayed crater to its left were seen from a different viewing angle in pictures taken by Mariner 10 during its first Mercury flyby last March 29. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury's South Pole
PIA02941
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury's South Pole
Original Caption Released with Image Mercury's south pole was photographed by one of Mariner 10's TV cameras as the spacecraft made its second close flyby of the planet September 21. The pole is located inside the large crater (180 kilometers, 110 miles) on Mercury's limb (lower center). The crater floor is shadowed and its far rim, illuminated by the sun, appears to de disconnected from the edge of the planet. Just above and to the right of the South Pole is a double ring basin about 100 kilometers (125 miles) in diameter. A bright ray system, splashed out of a 50 kilometer (30 mile) crater is seen at upper right. The stripe across the top is an artifact introduced during computer processing. The picture (FDS 166902) was taken from a distance of 85,800 kilometers (53,200 miles) less than two hours after Mariner 10 reached its closest point to the planet. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Field of Bright Rays
PIA02938
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Field of Bright Rays
Original Caption Released with Image A field of bright rays--created by ejecta from a crater--radiating to the north (top) from off camera (lower right) is seen in this view of Mercury taken September 21 by Mariner 10. Source of the rays is a large new crater to the south, near Mercury's South Pole. Mariner 10 was about 48,000 kilometers (30,000 miles) from Mercury when the picture (FDS 166749) was taken at 2:01 p.m. PDT, just three minutes after the spacecraft was closest to the planet. Largest crater in this picture is 100 kilometers (62 miles) in diameter. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Lineated Terrain
PIA02428
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Lineated Terrain
Original Caption Released with Image Lineated terrain not clearly related to any crater or basin. Widest valleys are 10 km across. Area centered at 8 degrees S, 148 degrees W. This image (FDS 246) was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Terraced Craters
PIA02420
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Terraced Craters
Original Caption Released with Image This crater (98 km diameter) illustrates the narrow hummocky rim facies, radial ridges, and surrounding extensive field of secondary craters. The well-developed interior terraces and central peaks are typical for mercurian craters in this size range. Note that the smaller craters in the foreground (25-km diameter) also are terraced. This image(FDS 80)was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Interior Peaks and Hilly Flo …
PIA02419
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Interior Peaks and Hilly Floored Crater
Original Caption Released with Image This crater (74 km diameter) just north of the Caloris Planitia displays interior and central peaks rising up from a hilly floor. The continuous ejecta deposits and secondary crater field are well defined. This image(FDS 79) was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Crater Chain Groves Inside L …
PIA02423
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Crater Chain Groves Inside Larger Craters
Original Caption Released with Image The craters in this image (128 km diameter and 195 km diameter) have interior rings of mountains and ejecta deposits which are scarred by deep secondary crater chain groves. This image (FDS 150)was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Northeastern Quadrant of the …
PIA02427
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Northeastern Quadrant of the Caloris Basin
Original Caption Released with Image This image of the northeastern quadrant of the Caloris basin shows the smooth hills and domes between the inner and outer scarps and the well-developed radial system east of the outer scarp. This image (FDS 193) was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Prominent Rayed Craters
PIA02429
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Prominent Rayed Craters
Original Caption Released with Image These two prominent rayed craters are located at 40 degrees N, 124 degrees W. Bright halos extend as far as 2 crater diameters beyond crater rims. Individual rays extend from halo. Bright streak extending from middle top to lower is unrelated to the two craters. Craters are 40 km in diameter. This image (FDS 275) was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
High Resolution View of Merc …
PIA02416
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title High Resolution View of Mercury
Original Caption Released with Image A limping Mariner 10 spacecraft was coaxed into a third and final encounter with Mercury in March of 1975. Due to several problems with the aging spacecraft, only ~450 useful images of the planet were acquired, though many are at significantly higher resolution than previous encounters. This is one of the highest resolution images of Mercury acquired by Mariner 10: Frame 528922, ~90 m/pixel. The vertical (tall narrow) format of the third encounter images resulted from problems with the tape recorder and transmitter on the spacecraft. Only the middle quarter of each frame could be sent back. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Heavily Cratered Terrain and …
PIA02438
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Heavily Cratered Terrain and Smooth Plain
Original Caption Released with Image This photograph of Mercury was taken by the Mariner 10 spacecraft from a range of 34,860 miles (55,340 kilometers) during the first Mercury encounter on March 29, 1974. It shows an area in the northern hemisphere in the general area of photography to be obtained during the third encounter, Sunday, March 16, 1975. Seen in the photograph is a transition from heavily cratered terrain to a smooth plain. These smooth plains areas on Mercury are thought to be volcanic in origin with lava flows filling in heavily cratered areas. The photograph area is about 308 miles (490 kilometers) wide. (FDS 156) The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury's Southern Hemispher …
PIA03101
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury's Southern Hemisphere
Original Caption Released with Image Mercury: Computer Photomosaic of the Southern Hemisphere The Image Processing Lab at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory produced this photomosaic using computer software and techniques developed for use in processing planetary data. The Mariner 10 spacecraft imaged the region during its initial flyby of the planet. The Mariner 10 spacecraft was launched in 1974. The spacecraft took images of Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 images of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon during its mission. The Mariner 10 Mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C.
Old Basin Filled by Smooth P …
PIA02948
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Old Basin Filled by Smooth Plains
Original Caption Released with Image Old basin, 190 km in diameter, filled by smooth plains at 43 degrees S, 55 degrees W. The basin's hummocky rim is partly degraded and cratered by later events. Mariner 10 frame 166607. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
South Pole - Ridges, Scarps, …
PIA02945
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title South Pole - Ridges, Scarps, Craters
Original Caption Released with Image A cratered area near Mercury's South Pole was photographed by Mariner 10 during its second flyby of the planet of September 21, 1974 (the spacecraft made its first encounter with Mercury on March 19, 1974). The plains between the craters are traversed by ridges and scarps. At lower right, the lineated and cratered terrain is part of the ejecta blasted from a large impact crater out of view of Mariner 10's TV cameras. The picture (FDS 166687) was taken from a range of 54,500 kilometers (33,850, miles) and covers an area 460 by 350 kilometers (285 by 217 miles). The day-night terminator is at right. North is at the top. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Large Double-ringed Basin
PIA02942
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Large Double-ringed Basin
Original Caption Released with Image Taken about 40 minutes before Mariner 10 made its close approach to Mercury on September 21, this picture (FDS 166684) shows a large (230 kilometers, 142 miles) double-ringed basin (center of picture) located in the planet's south polar region - 75 degrees S. Lat. 120 degrees W. Long. Mercury saw the basin from a different viewing angle on Mariner 10's first sweep last March. This picture was taken from about 55,000 kilometers (44,000 miles). North is toward upper left. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Densely Cratered Region
PIA02940
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Densely Cratered Region
Original Caption Released with Image One of Mariner 10's two TV cameras took this picture (FDS 166614) of a densely cratered region of Mercury at 12:39 p.m. PDT, September 21, 1974, 80 minutes prior to the spacecraft's second close encounter with the planet. Taken from a range of about 76,000 kilometers (47,000 miles) the picture shows a scarp, or cliff, two kilometers (7500 feet) above the surrounding area and is part of a larger system of faults which extends for hundreds of kilometers. Mariner 10, which mapped about one-quarter of Mercury's surface last March, is the first spacecraft to return to its target planet. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury at First Encounter C …
PIA02961
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury at First Encounter Closest Approach
Original Caption Released with Image Taken only minutes after Mariner 10 made its closest approach to the planet Mercury on March 29, this is one of the highest resolution pictures obtained during the mission. Craters as small as 150 meters (500 feet) across can be seen. The picture, taken from a distance of about 5900 kilometers (3700 miles), measures 50 by 40 kilometers 931 by 25 miles). The relativity level surface contrasts with the abundant relief seen in some close-up views on the opposite side of the planet. The long, narrow area of hills and scarps to the left resembles ridges in the mare of Earth's moon. Abundant craters in various stages of degradation dot the surface. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. NOTE: This image was scanned from physical media.
Intercrater Plains and Heavi …
PIA02444
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Intercrater Plains and Heavily Cratered Terrain - First Encounter
Original Caption Released with Image Intercrater plains and heavily cratered terrain typical of much of Mercury outside the area affected by the formation of the Caloris basin are shown in this image (FDS 27488) taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. Abundant shallow elongate craters and crater chains are present on the intercrater plains. Large tract of intercrater plains centered at 3 degrees N, 20 degrees W. Prominent scarp Santa Maria Rupes cuts both intercrater plains and old craters. North is to the top of this image which is 200 kilometers across. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mariner 10 Diagram
title Mariner 10 Diagram
date 11.03.1973
description On November 3, 1973, the Mariner Venus/Mercury 1973 spacecraft - also known as Mariner 10 - was launched from Kennedy Space Center. It was the first spacecraft designed to use gravity assist. Three months after launch it flew by Venus, changed speed and trajectory, then crossed Mercury's orbit in March 1974. This photo identifies various parts of the spacecraft and the science instruments, which were used to study the atmospheric, surface, and physical characteristics of Venus and Mercury. This was the sixth in the series of Mariner spacecraft that explored the inner planets beginning in 1962. *Image Credit*: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Prominent Rayed Craters
title Prominent Rayed Craters
description These two prominent rayed craters are located at 40 degrees N, 124 degrees W. Bright halos extend as far as 2 crater diameters beyond crater rims. Individual rays extend from halo. Bright streak extending from middle top to lower is unrelated to the two craters. Craters are 40 km in diameter. This image (FDS 275) was taken during the spacecraft's first encounter with Mercury. The Mariner 10 mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. *Image Credit*: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Young Craters
title Young Craters
description Young craters (the largest of which is about 100 kilometers in diameter) superposed on smooth plains. Larger young craters have central peaks, flat floors, terraced walls, radial ejecta deposits, and surrounding fields of secondary craters. Smooth plains have well-developed ridges extending northwest and northeast. This image (FDS 167) was acquired during the Mariner 10's first encounter with Mercury, is located approximately 60 degrees N, 175 degrees W. The Mariner 10 mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science. It explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. *Image Credit*: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Discovery Rupes Scarp
PIA02417
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Discovery Rupes Scarp
Original Caption Released with Image A limping Mariner 10 spacecraft was coaxed into a third and final encounter with Mercury in March of 1975. Due to several problems with the aging spacecraft, only ~450 useful images of the planet were acquired, though many are at significantly higher resolution than previous encounters. In this high resolution image (FDS 528884) the sun is low to the horizon thus enhancing topographic features with prominent shadows. As can be seen here, the surface of Mercury is heavily cratered similar to the Moon. The prominent scarp that snakes up the image was named Discovery Rupes. Like Hero Rupes, this feature is thought to have been formed as the planet compressed, possibly caused by cooling of the planet. The vertical (tall narrow) format of the third encounter images resulted from problems with the tape recorder and transmitter on the spacecraft. Only the middle quarter of each frame could be sent back. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury's Cratered Terrain
PIA02408
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury's Cratered Terrain
Original Caption Released with Image Cratered terrain very similar to that on the Moon is portrayed in this TV photo (FDS 27431) of Mercury taken by Mariner 10 on March 29 from a range of 31,000 kilometers (19,300 miles). The large flat-floored crater at right is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) in diameter-about the dame size as the lunar crater Copernicus. Numerous small craters and linear grooves radial to the crater probably are ejecta thrown from the crater by impact. The surface is illuminated from the left. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Mercury's Densely Cratered S …
PIA02410
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Mercury's Densely Cratered Surface
Original Caption Released with Image Mariner 10 took this picture (FDS 27465) of the densely cratered surface of Mercury when the spacecraft was 18,200 kilometers (8085 miles) from the planet on March 29. The dark line across top of picture is a "dropout" of a few TV lines of data. At lower left, a portion of a 61 kilometer (38 mile) crater shows a flow front extending across the crater floor and filling more than half of the crater. The smaller, fresh crater at center is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) in diameter. Craters as small as one kilometer (about one-half mile) across are visible in the picture. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
Uncratered Area on Mercury
PIA02412
Sol (our sun)
Imaging Science Subsystem - …
Title Uncratered Area on Mercury
Original Caption Released with Image A dark, smooth, relatively uncratered area on Mercury was photographed (FDS 226) two hours after Mariner 10 flew by the planet on March 29 from a range of 86,000 kilometers (54,000 miles). Above and to the left of center is a surface similar to the mane material of Earth's moon. It embays and covers rougher, older, heavily cratered topography like that, which can be seen in both upper corners of this picture. The history of heavy cratering seems to be followed by volcanic filling, similar to the process on the Moon. The prominent, sharp crater with a central peak (center) is 30 kilometers (19 miles) across. It is located on the upper left edge of a very bright surface area. The bright crater, to its right is 10 kilometers (6 miles) in diameter. The sun is from the right. The Mariner 10 mission, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, explored Venus in February 1974 on the way to three encounters with Mercury-in March and September 1974 and in March 1975. The spacecraft took more than 7,000 photos of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and the Moon. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Northwestern University
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