Rapid changes in the sodium exosphere of Mercury

Details Rapid changes in the sodium exosphere of Mercury Rapid changes in the sodium exosphere of Mercury

Dec 1999

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999p%26ss...47.1441p&link_type=abstract

Planetary and Space Science, Volume 47, Issue 12, p. 1441-1448.

Mathematics

Logic

45

Scientific paper

We imaged Mercury in sodium D1 and D2 emission for 6 days during the period 13-20 November 1997 using a 10×10-arc s aperture image slicer coupled to a high-resolution spectrograph. We corrected the sodium images for smearing by the terrestrial atmosphere by computing the actual seeing function from surface reflection images, and used this function to correct the sodium images. During the period of observation, large daily changes took place in both the total amount of sodium and its distribution over the planet. Total sodium increased by a factor of about 3 during this period. The sodium emission was brightest at longitudes near the subsolar longitude in the range 130-150°, with excess sodium at northern latitudes on some days, and excess sodium at southern latitudes on other days. There are no obviously outstanding geologic features at this longitude. The rapid changes observed during this period suggest a connection with solar activity, since the planet itself is apparently geologically inactive. The F10.7 cm solar flux during this period varied only slightly, with an increase of about 15%, probably insufficient to account for the observed changes. However, there were a number of coronal mass ejection (CME) events, some of which were directed towards the general area of Mercury. We suggest that the changes in the visible neutral sodium atmosphere might be a result of the effect of CMEs on Mercury.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Rapid changes in the sodium exosphere of Mercury 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 Rapid changes in the sodium exosphere of Mercury, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rapid changes in the sodium exosphere of Mercury will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1582936