Back to Glossary

Laser Altimeter

An instrument that measures surface elevation by timing the return of laser pulses reflected from a planet’s surface. MESSENGER’s altimeter was key to mapping Mercury’s topography.

Source: nasa.gov

APODs including "Laser Altimeter"

The Spiral North Pole of Mars

The Spiral North Pole of Mars

06/07/2025

MESSENGER's Last Day on Mercury

MESSENGER's Last Day on Mercury

01/05/2025

Exaggerated Moon

Exaggerated Moon

24/07/2024

The Spiral North Pole of Mars

The Spiral North Pole of Mars

19/12/2017

MESSENGER's Last Day on Mercury

MESSENGER's Last Day on Mercury

01/05/2015

A Colorful Side of the Moon

A Colorful Side of the Moon

18/11/2011

Frosty Mountains on Mars

Frosty Mountains on Mars

30/07/2003

Carving Ma'adim Vallis

Carving Ma'adim Vallis

27/06/2002

The Topography of Mars

The Topography of Mars

28/06/2001

All of Mars

All of Mars

26/06/2001

Inside Mars

Inside Mars

23/03/2000

Southern Mars

Southern Mars

03/12/1999

Topographical Mars

Topographical Mars

28/05/1999

3-D Mars' North Pole

3-D Mars' North Pole

16/12/1998