NDLI: Mercury’s Surface Composition and Character as Measured by Ground-Based Observations

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Sprague, A. Warell, J. Cremonese, G. Langevin, Y. Helbert, J. Wurz, P. Veselovsky, I. Orsini, S. Milillo, A.
Copyright Year	2007
Abstract	Mercury’s surface is thought to be covered with highly space-weathered silicate material. The regolith is composed of material accumulated during the time of planetary formation, and subsequently from comets, meteorites, and the Sun. Ground-based observations indicate a heterogeneous surface composition with SiO$_{2}$ content ranging from 39 to 57 wt%. Visible and near-infrared spectra, multi-spectral imaging, and modeling indicate expanses of feldspathic, well-comminuted surface with some smooth regions that are likely to be magmatic in origin with many widely distributed crystalline impact ejecta rays and blocky deposits. Pyroxene spectral signatures have been recorded at four locations. Although highly space weathered, there is little evidence for the conversion of FeO to nanophase metallic iron particles (npFe$^{0}$), or “iron blebs,” as at the Moon. Near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy indicate clino- and ortho-pyroxene are present at different locations. There is some evidence for no- or low-iron alkali basalts and feldspathoids. All evidence, including microwave studies, point to a low iron and low titanium surface. There may be a link between the surface and the exosphere that may be diagnostic of the true crustal composition of Mercury. A structural global dichotomy exists with a huge basin on the side not imaged by Mariner 10. This paper briefly describes the implications for this dichotomy on the magnetic field and the 3 : 2 spin : orbit coupling. All other points made above are detailed here with an account of the observations, the analysis of the observations, and theoretical modeling, where appropriate, that supports the stated conclusions.
Starting Page	399
Ending Page	431
Page Count	33
File Format	PDF
ISSN	00386308
Journal	Space Science Reviews
Volume Number	132
Issue Number	2-4
e-ISSN	15729672
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
Publisher Date	2007-10-10
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Mercury Planetary surface composition Mercury’s surface composition Remote sensing Ground-based observations Spectroscopy Planetology Astrophysics Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Sciences Astronomy
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Astronomy and Astrophysics Space and Planetary Science

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