Howard Koslow (1924 - 2016) "Space Exploration - Mercury w/ Mariner 10" Signed lower right. Original Acrylic painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the United States 29c Mercury wtih Mariner 10 stamp issued October 1, 1991. Launched in November 1973, Mariner 10 reached Mercury in March 1974, initiating a series of observations that shed new light on the smallest planet. Mariner approached Mercury on three separate occasions through March 1975, coming as close as 200 miles to the planet's surface and sending back data and photographs that show a world with amazing contrasts. Mercury, it was revealed, has an ancient surface resembling the Earth's Moon, heavily scarred by meteorite impacts. One such crater, named Caloris, is more than 500 miles across. The planet is also characterized by a feature unique to the Solar System -- long, curved scarps (cliffs) that appear to be the result of compression on the planet's crust as it cooled. But on Mercury, cool is a relative term: the planet's surface temperature on the side facing the sun is 950?F. In contrast, Mercury's tenuous atmosphere of argon, neon and helium -- a trillionth the density of Earth's atmosphere -- retains virtually no heat on the planet's night side, with a resulting temperature of -350F. Mariner 10 also revealed that Mercury has a magnetic field, similar to that of Earth yet far weaker, and that the small planet's core is likely comprised of iron. This artwork shows the mosquito-like Mariner 10 as it passes close to the surface of Mercury, beaming back its priceless information to the ever-curious men of Earth. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 19.75 x 17.75 in. Unframed. (B13252) See More