Mercury - 3

The image on the left features the sprawling Caloris basin, one of the solar system's largest impact basins. Created during the early history of the solar system by the impact of a large asteroid-sized body, the basin spans about 1500 kilometers and is seen in yellowish hues in this enhanced color mosaic. The image data is from the January 14th flyby of the MESSENGERspacecraft. Orange splotches around the basin's perimeter are now thought to be volcanic vents, new evidence that Mercury's smooth plains are indeed lava flows. Scientists often add false color to images to help them see finer detail. Note how much easier it is to study this image rather than the ones on the previous page.