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MESSENGER Observations of the Spatial Distribution of Planetary Ions Near MercuryGlobal measurements by MESSENGER of the fluxes of heavy ions at Mercury, particularly sodium (Na(+)) and oxygen (O(+)), exhibit distinct maxima in the northern magnetic-cusp region, indicating that polar regions are important sources of Mercury's ionized exosphere, presumably through solar-wind sputtering near the poles. The observed fluxes of helium (He(+)) are more evenly distributed, indicating a more uniform source such as that expected from evaporation from a helium-saturated surface. In some regions near Mercury, especially the nightside equatorial region, the Na(+) pressure can be a substantial fraction of the proton pressure.
Document ID
20120014415
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Zurbuchen, Thomas H.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Raines, Jim M.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Slavin, James A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Gershman, Daniel J.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Gilbert, Jason A.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Gloeckler, George
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Anderson, Brian J.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Baker, Daniel N.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Korth, Haje
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Krimigis, Stamatios M.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Sarantos, Menelaos
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Schriver, David
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
McNutt, Ralph L., Jr.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Solomon, Sean C.
(Carnegie Institution of Washington Washington, DC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
September 30, 2011
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 333
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.01250.2012-1
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-00002
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-97271
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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