This collection of craters, shaped not unlike the iconic head of a certain cartoon mouse, was imaged by NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft on June 3, 2012.
All together now: C-R-A, T-E-R… M-O-U-S-Eeeeee…
Acquired as part of MESSENGER’s extended mission to map Mercury’s surface in higher detail, the image above isn’t map-projected; that is, it’s not aligned with north as up. In reality the large crater that makes up Mickey’s “head” is north of the two “ears”.
Still, this is one big mouse head — the large crater in the center has a diameter of approximately 105 km (65 miles)!
Read more about this and see many other images of the first rock from the Sun on the MESSENGER mission site here.
Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
I can see the headline tomorrow: “Disney Prepares to file Suit on Mercury Tradmark Infringement.”
yes,be wewy wewy cawrfuwl.
Pareidolia!
I see the smiley face of someone who’s had too much coffee.
I also see an alien holding a laser gun in the air cowboy-style, while riding the back of a big duck.
(The duck is looking back at the alien)
I think this is a sign from the Aliens down there. LOL
Actually, it does look like Micky Mouse. Scary.
I guess there is a reason for silliness. But… Mickey Mouse? Really?
Dick Hoagland must be furiously pecking out another barrage of nonsence realted to this obvious NASA cover-up AS. WE. SPEAK…