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Mercury's atmosphere - A perspective after Mariner 10Implications of Mariner 10 observations are discussed regarding the composition and structure of Mercury's atmosphere as well as its interaction with the solar wind. The Mariner 10 data cited indicate that Mercury's atmosphere is apparently similar to that on the moon. It is shown that helium could be supplied to the atmosphere either by the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in the planetary crust or by accretion of a small fraction of the solar-wind flux. It is noted that the absence of argon could be explained by a potassium-deficient crust, but this conclusion is by no means firm. Upper limits for outgassing of H2O and CO2 are estimated which suggest that either the planet is deficient in volatiles or is relatively inactive in comparison with earth.
Document ID
19760058000
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Kumar, S.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 28
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
76A40966
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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