Quasi-trapped ion and electron populations at Mercury

0373465 - ÚFA 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Schriver, D. - Trávníček, Pavel M. - Anderson, B.J. - Ashour-Abdalla, M. - Baker, D. N. - Benna, M. - Boardsen, S.A. - Gold, R.E. - Hellinger, Petr - Ho, G.C. - Korth, H. - Krimigis, S.M. - McNutt, Jr., R.L. - Raines, J.M. - Richard, R. L. - Slavin, J.A. - Solomon, S.C. - Starr, R.D. - Zurbuchen, T.H.
Quasi-trapped ion and electron populations at Mercury.
Geophysical Research Letters. Roč. 38, - (2011), L23103/1-L23103/6. ISSN 0094-8276. E-ISSN 1944-8007
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT ME09009
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10030501; CEZ:AV0Z30420517
Keywords : MESSENGERS 1ST FLYBY * MAGNETIC-FIELD * MAGNETOSPHERE * INSTRUMENT * PROTONS
Subject RIV: BL - Plasma and Gas Discharge Physics
Impact factor: 3.792, year: 2011
http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2011/2011GL049629.shtml

Mariner 10 and MESSENGER spacecraft observations have established that Mercury has an intrinsic magnetic field and magnetosphere. Following the March 2011 insertion of MESSENGER into orbit around Mercury, measurements show that ions and electrons with typical energies of about 1-10 keV form an equatorially centered distribution of plasma at 1.4 R(M) radial distance (where R(M) is Mercury's radius) around a substantial portion of the planet in local time from morning through night and into the afternoon sector. Coincident with the detection of plasma around Mercury, an observed drop in the total magnetic pressure is attributable to the ion and electron thermal pressure. Additionally, intense waves near the ion cyclotron frequency were observed at the same location as the quasi-trapped particle population, which are likely a result of anisotropic distributions created by the large loss cone (>30 degrees) at these radial distances.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0206559