Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Mercury: the dark-side temperature.

T L Murdock, E P Ney

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |October 30, 1970
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Mercury

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    A null method for the comparison of two ion currents in a mass spectrometer.

    The Review of scientific instruments·2010
    Same author

    OSO-5 Dim Light Monitor.

    Applied optics·2010
    Same author

    Scientific results from the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE).

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·1993
    Same author

    Confirmation of dust condensation in the ejecta of supernova 1987a.

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·1990
    Same author

    The infrared spectrum of comet Bradfield (1987s) and the silicate emission feature.

    The Astrophysical journal·1990
    Same author

    On the possibility of dust condensation in the ejecta of supernova 1987a.

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·1987
    Same journal

    Erratum for the Research Article "Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave".

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Local signals, systemic decline.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    The mechanics of liver regeneration.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Computing in a memory with physics.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Retraction.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Making time.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Planetary Science
    • Astronomy
    • Infrared Astronomy

    Background:

    • Mercury's surface temperature and thermal properties are not well understood.
    • Previous observations of Mercury have provided limited data on its thermal inertia.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To measure Mercury's dark-side temperature.
    • To determine the thermal inertia of Mercury's surface.
    • To compare Mercury's surface properties with those of the Moon.

    Main Methods:

    • Infrared observations of Mercury were conducted at specific wavelengths (3.75, 4.75, 8.6, and 12 microns).
    • Observations were timed around the planet's inferior conjunctions on September 29, 1969, and May 9, 1970.
    • Data analysis focused on determining the average dark-side temperature and inferring surface thermal inertia.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Main Results:

    • The average dark-side temperature of Mercury was determined to be 111 ± 3 K.
    • The calculated thermal inertia of Mercury's surface is similar to that of the Moon.
    • This suggests comparable top surface layers between Mercury and the Moon.

    Conclusions:

    • Mercury possesses a dark-side temperature consistent with a poorly conducting surface layer.
    • The thermal inertia data strongly indicates that Mercury and the Moon share similar surface regolith characteristics.
    • These findings contribute to understanding the thermal environments and surface evolution of terrestrial bodies.