Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
(2) to investigate the local gravity anomalies, (3) to determine the rotation
state of Mercury, and (4) to measure the motion of Mercury center of mass.
2.4.11.
Mercury gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer
The scientific goals of Mercury gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer
(MGNS) are to measure the elemental surface and sub-surface composi-
tion for distinguishable regions over the entire Mercury by the measuring
(1) the nuclear lines of major soil-composing elements, (2) the leakage flux
of neutrons, and (3) the lines of natural radioactive elements and to deter-
mine the regional distribution of volatile depositions on the polar areas of
Mercury which are permanently shadowed from the Sun, and to provide a
map of column density of this depositions with the accuracy of 0.1 g cm
−
2
and with a surface resolution of about 400 km.
3. Summary
BepiColombo will do a full in-depth exploration of Mercury and its magne-
tospheric environment. With its two spacecraft interdisciplinary approach,
the mission is able to provide the detailed information necessary to resolve
the many outstanding questions related to its origin, evolution, structure
and environment. The MPO will provide a global mapping of the sur-
face morphology, composition and temperature, study its extremely thin
atmosphere (exosphere) and investigate Mercury's interior structure and
magnetic field. The MMO investigations will result in a complete charac-
terization of the planet's magnetosphere. Simultaneous measurements of
the two spacecraft will resolve spatial and temporal ambiguities in the exo-
sphere and magnetosphere that would arise from single point observations.
Given the high scientific potential related to this planet and its environment
BepiColombo will open a new frontier in the study of our solar system.
References
1. R. Grard and A. Balogh, Returns to Mercury: Science and mission objectives,
Plan. Space. Sci.
(2001) 1395-1407.
2. R. Grard,
Ad. Sp. Res.
49
33
(2003) 2125.
3. J. K. Harmon and M. A. Slade, Radar mapping of Mercury: Full-disk images
and polar anomalies,
Science
(1992) 640-642.
4. J. K. Harmon, P. J. Perillat and M. A. Slade, High-resolution radar imaging
of Mercury's north pole,
Icarus
258
149
(2001) 1-15.
