Dominant Loss Mechanisms of Energetic Electrons in Mercury's Magnetosphere: Active Solar Wind Loss or Planetary Precipitation?
Abstract
A particular area of interest involving the dynamic aspects of the Hermean magnetosphere are energetic electron events. These particle bursts are a result of substorm processes and form quasi-permanent structures in Mercury's magnetosphere. Using the Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometers (GRNS) previously onboard the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft, thousands of energetic electron events were observed over the lifetime of the mission (2011-2015). These particle events were detected via count rates of bremsstrahlung photons that were produced when energetic electrons impacted different materials around the spectrometers. Energetic electron events were found to have a broad range of temporal and spatial characteristics leading to the classification of different event types. The acceleration, transport, and loss of energetic electrons all play a role in the lively Hermean magnetosphere. Various physical mechanisms are responsible for both the formation, and loss of energetic electrons. Utilizing MESSENGER's energetic particle spectrometer, magnetometer, and GRNS data sets, this study provides key insight into the dominate physical loss mechanisms for energetic electrons; either via active solar wind loss or planetary precipitation.
- Publication:
-
43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E.457L