Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja.....2394s&link_type=abstract
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #2394
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
We have traced the trajectories of a large number of ions in Mercury's magnetosphere in order to evaluate the ions' effect on atmospheric neutrals. We begin with sodium and potassium ions created with a spatial distribution given from the neutral distribution. We trace the trajectories of ions moving under the Lorentz force on fields defined by the Toffoletto-Hill model of the Mercury magnetosphere as modified for Mercury (Sarantos et al. 2001). We forecast that the behavior of neutrals is governed by photoion recycling to the surface and by photoion loss, and that ions initiate a shift in neutral morphology. A predominant dawn to dusk electric field along with the local magnetic fields produce asymmetries in the atmosphere even at quiet times. In particular, a dawn-dusk asymmetry and high-latitude enhancements in the sodium atmosphere are perpetuated by the pattern of ion redistribution. The solar wind ion sputtering effect will further amplify atmospheric patchiness. We conclude that photoions that reimpact the surface can be significant contributors to the morphological fragmentation of the atmosphere seen in various data sets.
Killen Rosemary
Reiff Patricia
Sarantos Menelaos
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