Surface history of mercury: A review
Abstract
Data from the Mariner 10 survey of Mercury are summarized and the formation of different kinds of craters and plains on Mercury is discussed. Similarities and differences between Mercury's surface features and those of the moon are noted. Some subjects for further study include: the nature of the meteoritic bombardment early in the planet's history - whether it was a progressive diminution of the flux, or a number of discrete episodes, the final episode being at the time when Caloris, the largest crater, was formed; and the extent to which volcanism occurred, if at all, after the Caloris event, which involves the question of the origin of the post-Caloris smooth plains. In the Weird terrain, straight lineaments, considered to be vertical or near-vertical faults, concentrate at the exact antipode to Caloris.
- Publication:
-
Vistas in Astronomy
- Pub Date:
- 1977
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0083-6656(77)90006-X
- Bibcode:
- 1977VA.....20..273G
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photography;
- Mercury (Planet);
- Planetary Surfaces;
- Satellite Observation;
- Infrared Imagery;
- Mariner 10 Space Probe;
- Satellite-Borne Photography;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration