High latitude peaks in Mercury's sodium exosphere: Spectral signature using THEMIS solar telescope

Details High latitude peaks in Mercury's sodium exosphere: Spectral signature using THEMIS solar telescope High latitude peaks in Mercury's sodium exosphere: Spectral signature using THEMIS solar telescope

Sep 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008georl..3518204l&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 35, Issue 18, CiteID L18204

Physics

8

Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mercury, Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets: Atmospheres (0343, 1060), Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets: Origin And Evolution, Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets: Tori And Exospheres, Planetary Sciences: Comets And Small Bodies: Aurorae, Airglow, And X-Ray Emission

Scientific paper

We present the first combined intensity and temperature maps of sodium in Mercury's exosphere, made possible by the use of the THEMIS solar telescope on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The intensity maps clearly show high-latitude peaks, and temperatures inferred from spectral line widths suggest that these regions are either slightly hotter than the rest of the exosphere or much smaller than observed. These brighter, warmer regions are also observed, for the first time, to appear within few Earth hours which strongly suggest that they are produced by solar wind sputtering. This highly capable instrument obtained these data during daylight, highlighting the unique potential for THEMIS to undertake continuous multi-hour and multi-day datasets in conjunction with the MESSENGER mission to Mercury.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

High latitude peaks in Mercury's sodium exosphere: Spectral signature using THEMIS solar telescope does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with High latitude peaks in Mercury's sodium exosphere: Spectral signature using THEMIS solar telescope, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High latitude peaks in Mercury's sodium exosphere: Spectral signature using THEMIS solar telescope will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1334552