Magnetic field of Mercury confirmed

Observations made by Mariner 10 during its third encounter with Mercury (Mercury III) are presented which confirm the tentative conclusion drawn from the first encounter (Mercury I) that Mercury has a modest intrinsic magnetic field. Some comparison between Mercury I and III data and trajectories is attempted, and the superior affirmative nature of Mercury III is pointed out. Definitive bow shock and magnetopause detections of solar wind deflection were made during both passes.