Hello, Sunshine

Night gives way to day on the surface of Mercury in this recent image from the orbiting Messenger spacecraft. The image shows bright rays radiating outward from a young crater at right center. The rays consist of material that was blasted out by the impact that created the crater. The image was created using a series of filters that enhance the colors on Mercury's surface, so this is not an accurate depiction of the planet's color. [NASA/JHUAPL]