Energetic particle dynamics in Mercury's magnetosphereстатья
Статья опубликована в высокорейтинговом журнале
Информация о цитировании статьи получена из
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Статья опубликована в журнале из списка Web of Science и/или Scopus
Дата последнего поиска статьи во внешних источниках: 9 ноября 2013 г.
Аннотация:We investigate the drift paths of energetic particles in Mercury’s magnetosphere by tracing their motion through a model magnetic field. Test particle simulations solving the full Lorentz force show a quasi-trapped energetic electron population which gradient and curvature drift around the planet via “Shabansky” orbits, passing through high-latitudes in the compressed dayside but equatorial latitudes on the nightside. Due to their large gyroradii, energetic H+ and Na+ ions will typically collide with the planet or the magnetopause and will not be able to complete a full drift orbit. These simulations provide direct comparison for recent spacecraft measurements from MESSENGER. Mercury’s offset dipole results in an asymmetric loss cone and therefore an asymmetry in particle precipitation with more particles precipitating in the south. Since the planet lacks an atmosphere, precipitating particles will collide directly with the surface of the planet. The incident charged particles can kick up neutrals from the surface and have implications for the formation of the exosphere and weathering of the surface.