This first one was actually shot during the first flyby in January and I was really stunned by the bright colors emanating from a strictly metallic surface. It reminds me a lot of granite, though closer up, the coloring surely looks much different. Do you think the coloring is accurate? Do you think that perhaps large amounts of liquid exist there, only with a much higher melting point?

 

 

With experience with astrophysicists, I'm very very tempted to suggest that the first is a false colour image.

With experience with astrophysicists, I'm very very tempted to suggest that the first is a false colour image.

 

It is false.

It is false.

 

Do you have any more details?

Do you have any more details?

 

 

No, but surely it is obvious from the luminous colours?

No, but surely it is obvious from the luminous colours?

 

Maybe, but you stated a fact, which imo requires evidence, references or both

 

It looks like false colours.

 

Is different to saying.

 

It is false colours.

sure its false, plus there are no liquids on mercury, its solid rock or whatever its makeup is

Lava could be considered a liquid.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Mercury

http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/mercury/what-color-is-mercury/

 

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/23/mercury-in-living-color/

 

 

I couldn't find a reference to the OP's pictures, but the text at these links describe pretty much all pics of Mercury.