We examine the dynamics of protons during tail-like to dipole-like reconfigurations of Mercury's magnetosphere. Such reconfigurations that frequently occur in the highly dynamical Hermean environment are accompanied by induced electric fields leading to short-lived convection enhancements. Using test particle calculations, we show that, under the effect of such induced electric fields, protons may be subjected to prominent energization while being injected into the inner magnetosphere. We demonstrate that this energization occurs in a nonadiabatic manner and can reach several tens of keV, possibly leading to particle trapping around the planet. Recent observations from BepiColombo during Mercury's third flyby provide evidences of energetic protons drifting in the vicinity of the planet. The present impulsive energization process is a possible mechanism for the build-up of such populations.

中文翻译：

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质子对水星磁层动力学重构的响应


我们研究了水星磁层从尾状到偶极子状重新配置过程中质子的动力学。这种在高动态 Hermean 环境中经常发生的重新配置伴随着感应电场，从而导致短暂的对流增强。使用测试粒子计算，我们表明，在这种感应电场的作用下，质子在注入内部磁层时可能会受到明显的通电。我们证明这种通电以非绝热方式发生，可以达到几十 keV，可能导致粒子在地球周围捕获。最近在水星第三次飞越期间，BepiColombo 的观测提供了高能质子在水星附近漂移的证据。目前的冲动激励过程是建立这种种群的一种可能机制。