THE HERMEAN MAGNETOSPHERE AND ITS IONOSPHERE-MAGNETOSPHERE COUPLING

A short review is given of major features of the magnetosphere of plan et Mercury. Beside its weak surface magnetic held, its slow rotation r ate, and close proximity to the Sun, Mercury differs from other planet s due to its rather tenuous atmosphere. This causes interesting possib le effects concerning ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling and substorm d evelopment. Based on a first simplified model it is hypothesized that this development is hampered by unfavourable ionosphere/surface condit ions leading to a quasi-periodic intermittent behaviour. (C) 1997 Publ ished by Elsevier Science Ltd.