Preliminary interpretation of plasma electron observations at the third encounter of Mariner 10 with Mercury
Abstract
Plasma electron count observations made during the first and third encounters of Mariner 10 with Mercury (i.e., during Mercury I and III) are reported. They provide detailed information on the magnetosphere of Mercury, especially those from Mercury III. A low-flux region was observed about closest approach (CA) of Mercury III, whereas no such region was detected by the lower-latitude Mercury I; a hot plasma sheet was measured on the outgoing (and near-equator) trajectory of Mercury I, while only cool plasma sheets were observed in the magnetosphere by Mercury III. Findings are similar, on a reduced scale, to models of the earth's magnetosphere and magnetosheath.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- May 1975
- DOI:
- 10.1038/255206a0
- Bibcode:
- 1975Natur.255..206H
- Keywords:
-
- Bow Waves;
- Electron Energy;
- Mariner Venus-Mercury 1973;
- Planetary Magnetospheres;
- Plasma Layers;
- Cold Plasmas;
- Energy Spectra;
- Flyby Missions;
- High Temperature Plasmas;
- Magnetosheath;
- Planetary Magnetic Fields;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- BOW WAVES;
- ELECTRON ENERGY;
- MARINER VENUS-MERCURY 1973;
- PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES;
- PLASMA LAYERS;
- COLD PLASMAS;
- ENERGY SPECTRA;
- FLYBY MISSIONS;
- HIGH TEMPERATURE PLASMAS;
- MAGNETOSHEATH;
- PLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS