This color image features de Graft and provides a new higher resolution view of the color variations associated with this intriguing crater. The floor of de Graft is covered with bright hollows, which can be seen in detail in this previously released NAC mosaic. The central peaks of de Graft appear blue in this view, similar to the crater Bartok, likely due to material brought up to the surface from depth during the impact event. Around the rim of de Graft, material that appears brighter orange in this image can be identified, which may be yet another different type of rock that exists below the surface and was excavated during the impact, as seen surrounding Kuiper.
This image was acquired as a high-resolution targeted color observation. Targeted color observations are images of a small area on Mercury's surface at resolutions higher than the 1-kilometer/pixel 8-color base map. During MESSENGER's one-year primary mission, hundreds of targeted color observations were obtained. During MESSENGER's extended mission, high-resolution targeted color observations are more rare, as the 3-color base map covered Mercury's northern hemisphere with the highest-resolution color images that are possible.
Date acquired: July 29, 2013
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 17384119, 17384139, 17384123
Image ID: 4529737, 4529742, 4529738
Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
WAC filters: 9, 7, 6 (996, 748, 433 nanometers) in red, green, and blue
Center Latitude: 21.61°
Center Longitude: 1.48° E
Resolution: 251 meters/pixel
Scale: de Graft has a diameter of 68 kilometers (42 miles)
Incidence Angle: 22.1°
Emission Angle: 55.8°
Phase Angle: 78.0°
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. 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.