Peaks and Hollows

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Caption:

The surface shown here is located within a 73-km-diameter crater; the mounds are part of a larger central peak structure of the hosting crater. The resolution of this image resolves hollows on the central peaks , as seen in other craters such as Ahmad Baba , Mickiewicz , and others . The lower right also shows hollows that appear to form in one layer of a crater wall, such as has been viewed in other high-resolution images.

This image was acquired as part of the NAC ride-along imaging campaign. When data volume is available and MDIS is not acquiring images for its other campaigns, high-resolution NAC images are obtained of the surface. These images are designed not to interfere with other instrument observations but take full advantage of periods during the mission when extra data volume is available.

Date acquired: January 12, 2015
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 63406030
Image ID: 7783973
Instrument: Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
Center Latitude: 59.57°
Center Longitude: 319.14° E
Resolution: 15 meters/pixel
Scale: This image is roughly 15 km (9 miles) across
Incidence Angle: 67.9°
Emission Angle: 22.1°
Phase Angle: 90.1°

Background Info:

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.

For information regarding the use of images, see the MESSENGER image use policy .

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