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A Solar Day at Prokofiev Crater

This animation depicts the illumination of the topography near Prokofiev crater, showing the small proportion of sunlight that reaches Prokofiev's floor and rim. The north-facing portions of the rim and interior remain in perpetual shadow, as do those of numerous other craters. The movie simulates approximately one Mercury solar day (176 Earth days) and uses the digital terrain model derived from MLA measurements. Contrast has been enhanced for best viewing.

Date acquired: November 29, 2012

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