IFE proposed for BepiColombo/MPOIFE proposed for BepiColombo/MPO

SERENASERENA Search for Exospheric Refilling Search for Exospheric Refilling

and Emitted Natural Abundancesand Emitted Natural AbundancesNPA-ISNPA-IS

Neutral Particle Analyser- Ion SpectrometerNeutral Particle Analyser- Ion Spectrometer

UnitsUnits:: ELENAELENA: Emitted Low-Energy : Emitted Low-Energy

Neutral Atoms Neutral Atoms STROFIOSTROFIO: Thermal gas mass : Thermal gas mass

spectrometerspectrometer MIPAMIPA: : Miniature Ion Miniature Ion

Precipitation Precipitation Analyser Analyser PICAMPICAM: : PlanetaryPlanetary Ion Ion CAMera CAMera

H/W providing institutionsH/W providing institutions

PI: Dr. STEFANO ORSINI, IFSI, Italy

Scientific ObjectivesScientific ObjectivesSERENASERENA is an experiment able to provide information on the whole is an experiment able to provide information on the whole

surface-exosphere-magnetosphere system and the processes surface-exosphere-magnetosphere system and the processes involvedinvolved in the system as well as in the interaction with the solar wind in the system as well as in the interaction with the solar wind and the interstellar mediumand the interstellar medium

To measure chemical, elemental, and isotopic composition of the exosphere; to investigate the exo-ionosphere; to derive gas density profile as a function of altitude; to estimate the particle loss rate from Mercury environment; to measure the surface emission rate and investigate the surface release processes;

Major Objectives

to measure the plasma precipitation rate; to remote sense the surface composition; to derive the magnetosphere structure and dynamics; to observe the solar wind characteristics at 0.3 AU;

Other Objectives

to study the ENA imaging applications for comparative solar-planetary relationship;

In conclusion, the interaction between the In conclusion, the interaction between the Hermean environment with energetic Hermean environment with energetic plasma particles, solar radiation and plasma particles, solar radiation and micrometeorites originates both micrometeorites originates both thermal thermal and directional neutraland directional neutral populations (via populations (via surface release and charge-exchange surface release and charge-exchange processes); such populations will be processes); such populations will be recorded by the recorded by the NPA-SERENANPA-SERENA sensors. sensors.

The photo-ionized or The photo-ionized or charged componentcharged component of the surface release processes as well as of the surface release processes as well as the the plasma precipitation and circulationplasma precipitation and circulation in the Hermean magnetosphere will be in the Hermean magnetosphere will be recorded by the recorded by the IS-SERENAIS-SERENA sensors. sensors.

Main scientific Main scientific objectives objectives of each unitof each unitNPANPA::

ELENAELENA investigates the Hermean escaping neutral gas investigates the Hermean escaping neutral gas (strongly linked to its surface), and the processes (strongly linked to its surface), and the processes responsible of such a population.responsible of such a population.

STROFIOSTROFIO investigates the exospheric gas investigates the exospheric gas composition.composition.

ISIS:: MIPAMIPA investigates the plasma precipitation toward the investigates the plasma precipitation toward the

surface and ions energized and transported throughout surface and ions energized and transported throughout the environment of Mercury.the environment of Mercury.

PICAMPICAM investigates the exo-ionosphere extension and investigates the exo-ionosphere extension and composition, and the photo-ionization rate of neutrals. composition, and the photo-ionization rate of neutrals.

STROFIO ELENA PICAM MIPA

Energy range < 1 eV < .02 – 5 keV

(mass dependent) 1 eV-3 keV 0.01-15 keV

FOV degrees Resol.

20 x 20 -

2 x 76 2 x 2

3D: hemisphere 6 x 10

2D: 9 x 180 4.5 x 22.5

Mass resolution M/M

60 6-8 channels >100 6 ion groups

Efficiency * g.f. 0.1 cm2 sr (mass dependent)

10-4 cm2 sr 0.88 cm2 sr eV 0.024 – 0.038 cm2 sr eV

(azimuth dependent)

Instrument capabilitiesInstrument capabilities

Units FOVUnits FOV

Units LayoutUnits Layout

ELENA

STROFIO

MIPA

PICAM