Kuiper crater. Enhance-colour image of the Kuiper crater on the surface of the planet Mercury. This relatively young crater measures 60 kilometres in diameter and was named after the Dutch-US astronomer Gerard Kuiper. Here, the redder colour may be due to a compositionally distinct material excavated from depth by the impact that formed Kuiper. Imaged by NASA's MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft, on 2nd September 2011.