DOI: 10.1002/2015GL065805
论文题名: First observations of Mercury's plasma mantle by MESSENGER
作者: DiBraccio G.A. ; Slavin J.A. ; Raines J.M. ; Gershman D.J. ; Tracy P.J. ; Boardsen S.A. ; Zurbuchen T.H. ; Anderson B.J. ; Korth H. ; McNutt R.L. ; Jr. ; Solomon S.C.
刊名: Geophysical Research Letters
ISSN: 0094-8416
EISSN: 1944-8147
出版年: 2015
卷: 42, 期: 22 起始页码: 9666
结束页码: 9675
语种: 英语
英文关键词: flux transfer events
; magnetosphere convection
; magnetotail dynamics
; Mercury's magnetotail
; plasma mantle
; solar wind transport
Scopus关键词: Dispersions
; Electric potential
; Magnetosphere
; Orbits
; Solar wind
; Unloading
; Flux transfer events
; Loading and unloading
; Magnetotail dynamics
; Magnetotails
; Planetary magnetosphere
; Solar wind plasmas
; Velocity dispersion
; Wind transport
; Mercury (metal)
; electric field
; electron density
; flux measurement
; magnetosphere
; magnetotail
; mantle
; mantle convection
; mercury (element)
; new record
; observational method
; planetary atmosphere
; plasma
; solar wind
; transfer function
英文摘要: We present the first observations of Mercury's plasma mantle, a primary region for solar wind entry into the planetary magnetosphere, located in the high-latitude magnetotail. MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) observations from two orbits on 10 November 2012 have been analyzed. The main plasma mantle features are (1) a steady decrease in proton density as MESSENGER moved deeper into the magnetotail; (2) frequent flux transfer events throughout the magnetosheath and into the magnetotail, suggesting that these events are the primary source for solar wind plasma injection; (3) a diamagnetic depression, due to the presence of plasma, as pressure balance is maintained; and (4) a clear proton velocity dispersion, resulting from lower-energy protons being transported deep into the magnetosphere as higher-energy protons escape downtail. From these velocity dispersions we infer cross-magnetosphere electric potentials of 23 kV and 29 kV, consistent with estimates determined from measurements of magnetopause reconnection rate and tail loading and unloading events. Key Points MESSENGER observations revealed solar wind plasma transported deep into Mercury's magnetotail Mercury's plasma mantle is identified as a main region for solar wind entry into the magnetosphere Flux transfer events deliver solar wind plasma into the high-latitude magnetotail. © 2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84956963974&doi=10.1002%2f2015GL065805&partnerID=40&md5=bbd12bf1eb4a37fc273fe7515602c863
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资源类型: 期刊论文
标识符: http://119.78.100.158/handle/2HF3EXSE/8032
Appears in Collections: 科学计划与规划 气候变化与战略
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作者单位: Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Recommended Citation:
DiBraccio G.A.,Slavin J.A.,Raines J.M.,et al. First observations of Mercury's plasma mantle by MESSENGER[J]. Geophysical Research Letters,2015-01-01,42(22).