Mercury's Sodium Exosphere: Observations during the MESSENGER Orbital Phase

作者: William E. McClintock , Menelaos Sarantos , Aimee W. Merkel , Ronald J. Vervack , Matthew H. Burger

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摘要: The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft entered into orbit about Mercury on March 18,2011. We now have approximately five years of data from orbit. Prior to the MESSENGER mission, Mercury's surface-bounded exosphere was known contain H, He, Na. K, Ca. Ultraviolet Visible Spectrometer (UVVS) began routine orbital observations both dayside nightside 29. 2011, measuring altitude profiles for all previously detected neutral species except He K. focus here what we learned sodium exosphere: its spatial, seasonal, sporadic variation. Observations date permit delineation relative roles photon-stimulated desorption (PSD) impact vaporization (IV) seasonal spatial effects, as well ions sputtering agents in their possible role enhance efficiency PSD. Correlations with measurements MESSENGER's Magnetometer (MAG) Energetic Particle Plasma (EPPS) provide insight electrons. Models incorporating MAG a basis identifying location area surface exposed solar wind plasma, EPPS reveal episodic populations energetic electrons magnetosphere presence planetary He(+), 0(+), Na(+),

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