Albedo variations on the surface of mercury

Photoelectric photometric (slit) scans of Mercury have been obtained and combined with a man of the surface markings to yield relative normal albedoes over about one quarter of the planet's total surface at a wavelength of 0·45 microns. Maximum albedo ratios at a resolution of one fifth of the planetary diameter are not less than 2 to 1 and probably near 2·5 to 1. The corresponding average lunar value is 2·3 to 1. The blurring effects of seeing conditions on previous visual estimates of Mercury's albedo ratios are briefly discussed.