Abstract
Our knowledge of Mercury has been derived almost exclusively from the analysis of a limited amount of data acquired by the Mariner 10 spacecraft during its three flybys of the planet (29 March 1974, 21 September 1974 and 16 March 1975). The surprising discovery of a sodium atmosphere on Mercury from ground-based observations1 has not only re-kindled interest in the planet but has also opened, through continuing ground-based observations2,3, a new and promising way to explore the planet, its atmosphere and its interactions with the solar wind. Here I examine the peculiar behaviour and likely spatial character of the sodium atmosphere. Because of the large and extremely variable solar radiation pressure experienced by sodium atoms and the suggested presence3 of a non-thermal surface source, the size and shape of the sodium atmosphere can vary tremendously with Mercury's orbital location about the Sun, thus providing valuable signatures for remote study.
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