NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Pretty, Vacant

Even a barren landscape possesses its own stark beauty. Today's image shows an area of rather subdued terrain consisting of old craters that have been worn down by long periods of impact erosion. Just a few small young craters are found here. The smooth-looking areas between the small fresh craters might be relatively free of boulders. Such locations could be attractive as potential sites where a future lander could set down safely, although for thermal management reasons it is likely that a similar smooth area closer to one of the poles would be selected.

Date acquired: February 25, 2012

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington