NASA shares rare images of Mercury

Mercury is the closest planet in the solar system, orbiting the Sun in just 88 Earth days.

The planet experiences extreme temperatures, ranging from 430°C during day to -180°C at night.

A transit of Mercury happened on May 9 2016, when it passed directly in front of the Sun as viewed from Earth.

The image features an orthographic projection of Mercury's south polar region.

The image, which was captured on October 8 2008, features a view over Mercury Horizon.

NASA Messenger spacecraft mapped the topography of Mercury's northern hemisphere in great detail.

Credit: NASA