Mercury's Atmosphere from Mariner 10: Preliminary Results

@article{Broadfoot1974MercurysAF,
  title={Mercury's Atmosphere from Mariner 10: Preliminary Results},
  author={A. Lyle Broadfoot and S. Kumar and Michael J. S. Belton and Michael B. McElroy},
  journal={Science},
  year={1974},
  volume={185},
  pages={166 - 169}
}
Analysis of data obtained by the ultraviolet experiment on Mariner 10 indicates that Mercury is surrounded by a thin atmosphere consisting in part of helium. The partial pressure of helium at the terminator is about 5 x 10-12 millibar. The total surface pressure of the atmosphere is less than about 2 x 10-9 millibar. Upper limits are set for the abundance of various gases, including hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, argon, neon, and xenon. The wavelength dependence of Mercury's surface albedo is… 
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