Dust off those red-cyan glasses to explore the interior of Lermontov crater. Small hollows can be seen scattered throughout the scene, including around the rim of the 6-km-diameter (3.7-mi.-diameter) crater in the bottom corner of the image. The irregular depressions are likely the result of explosive volcanism.

This image pair was acquired as a targeted set of stereo images. Targeted stereo observations are acquired at resolutions much higher than that of the 200-meter/pixel stereo base map. These targets acquired with the NAC enable the detailed topography of Mercury's surface to be determined for a local area of interest.

Date acquired: July 23, 2014
Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 48451785, 48452249
Image ID: 6737449, 6737454
Instrument: Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)
Center Latitude: 15.75°
Center Longitude: 311.6° E
Resolution: 57 meters/pixel
Scale: The crater near the bottom corner of the image is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi.) in diameter.
Incidence Angle: 50.1°, 50.2°
Emission Angle: 14.6°, 15.0°
Phase Angle: 62.5°, 54.2°
North is to the left in this image.

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.

For information regarding the use of images, see the MESSENGER image use policy.