Mercury shows off its colourful side (BBC)

By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News, Boston

Scientists working on Nasa's Messenger probe to Mercury have shown off a stunning new colour map of the planet.

It comprises thousands of images acquired by the spacecraft during its first year in orbit.

This is not how we would see Mercury, which would look like a dull, brownish-grey globe to our eyes.

Rather, the map represents an exaggerated view of the planet that is intended to highlight variations in the composition of its rock.
***
The mission so far has been a triumph, which ought to make the current request to Nasa management for an operational extension a very easy case to make.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21468172




So NASA's budget is safe from sequestration ? Guess again. I won't be surprised to see support for active missions cancelled due to sclerotic House Republicans.