Mercury/Flux Transfer Events

Magnetic tornadoes originating in Mercury's magnetopause and terminating at its surface. These are magnetic field lines that coil and penetrate the magnetosphere, allowing a path for particles from the sun to follow to strike Mercury's surface. These "storms" are much more powerful than those at Earth. Mercury's atmosphere may be replenished from the Sun via these storms.

Magnetic Tornadoes Discovered (Jun 2009)

 * See Mercury/Magnetic Tornadoes


 * http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/090608-mm-mercury-tornadoes.html