 Click on image to enlarge. | A Volcanic ViewRelease Date: September 20, 2013 Topics: Oblique and Perspective Views, Vents, Volcanism |
Date acquired: August 23, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 19543205
Image ID: 4683301
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filter: 7 (748 nanometers)
Center Latitude: 35.77°
Center Longitude: 63.90° E
Scale: The central vent is approximately 36 km (22 mi.) across
Of Interest: This beautiful view of the volcanic vents located to the north of the Rachmaninoff basin gives a new perspective on the area. At center, a vent is located within the bright pyroclastic deposit that is thought to have erupted front he vent. An older vent is also seen toward the bottom right as an irregularly shaped depression, though it has no clear surrounding deposit. The oblique angle of the image allows a view of the eastern walls of these features.
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.
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 19543205
Image ID: 4683301
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filter: 7 (748 nanometers)
Center Latitude: 35.77°
Center Longitude: 63.90° E
Scale: The central vent is approximately 36 km (22 mi.) across
Of Interest: This beautiful view of the volcanic vents located to the north of the Rachmaninoff basin gives a new perspective on the area. At center, a vent is located within the bright pyroclastic deposit that is thought to have erupted front he vent. An older vent is also seen toward the bottom right as an irregularly shaped depression, though it has no clear surrounding deposit. The oblique angle of the image allows a view of the eastern walls of these features.
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.