Date acquired: October 12, 2012
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 258513938
Image ID: 2750020
Instrument: Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
Center Latitude: 24.29°
Center Longitude: 181.2° E
Resolution: 42 meters/pixel
Scale: This image is 55 km ( 34 mi.) across.
Incidence Angle: 76.3°
Emission Angle: 38.9°
Phase Angle: 115.2°

Of Interest: This image shows a possible volcanic vent located in the southeastern region of the Caloris basin. Though this irregularly shaped, rimless depression displays a more subtle color signature than other potential vents around Caloris, it is comparable in size to the kidney-shaped vent located in the southwestern region of Caloris.

This image was acquired as a high-resolution targeted observation. Targeted observations are images of a small area on Mercury's surface at resolutions much higher than the 200-meter/pixel morphology base map. It is not possible to cover all of Mercury's surface at this high resolution, but typically several areas of high scientific interest are imaged in this mode each week.

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.

Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington

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