10 stunning images of Mercury captured by NASA

NASA’s MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft captured the image at left, an approximation of Mercury’s true color as might be seen by the human eye, on Oct. 6, 2008.

On May 9, 2016, Mercury passed directly between the Sun and Earth, making a transit of the Sun. Mercury transits happen about 13 times each century.

The view shown here is an orthographic projection of Mercury's south polar region, colored by an illumination map.

Analysis of radio tracking data have enabled maps of the gravity field of Mercury to be derived.

During MESSENGER's four-year orbital mission, the spacecraft's XRS instrument mapped out the chemical composition of Mercury and discovered striking regions of chemical diversity

This image provides a perspective view of the center portion of Carnegie Rupes, a large tectonic landform, which cuts through Duccio crater

This mosaic of oblique images highlights the spectacular interior of Abedin crater

Mercury from Messenger

Four colorful angles of Mercury using data from two MESSENGER instruments

Measurements from MESSENGER's MLA instrument during the spacecraft's greater than four-year orbital mission have mapped the topography of Mercury's northern hemisphere in great detail