1,2,4,3,- 1University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (liam.edwards@helsinki.fi)
- 2Department of Physics, Aberystwyth University, Wales
- 3Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, United States of America
- 4Department of Physics, University of Turku, Finland
- 5Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas, CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Saclay, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
Mercury hosts a dynamic and highly variable magnetosphere shaped by its weak intrinsic magnetic field and the intense pressure of the solar wind. Previous observations from spacecraft sent to the planet have provided key insights into Mercury’s magnetospheric structure and energetic particle populations, revealing transient and highly variable energetic electron enhancements within the planet’s magnetosphere. We present BepiColombo/SIXS observations of energetic electron populations in Mercury’s magnetosphere during the spacecraft’s first three flybys of the planet. Although no such populations were observed during the first flyby, strong energetic electron signatures were observed during the second and third flybys. We also present energetic electron and proton observations during the fourth and sixth flybys showing strong planetary shielding and magnetic mirroring effects during SEP events. Additionally, we present the highest time resolution energy spectra (> 70 keV) produced at Mercury. These observations are further discussed in the context of previous observations (e.g. MESSENGER).
How to cite: Edwards, L., Kilpua, E., Vainio, R., Grande, M., Lawrence, D., Aizawa, S., Lehtolainen, A., and Esko, E.: Energetic Particle Observations During BepiColombo’s Mercury Flybys, EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2025, Helsinki, Finland, 7–12 Sep 2025, EPSC-DPS2025-1795, https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc-dps2025-1795, 2025.
