University of Michigan: Mercury Has Part-time Radiation Belts
July 28, 2026
July 28, 2026
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, July 28 (TNSjou) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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Mercury has part-time radiation belts
Scientists thought Mercury's magnetic field was disrupted by the sun too often to trap a radiation belt, but new analysis of MESSENGER data says that's not always the case
Key takeaways:
* When Mercury is further from the sun, its magnetic field is more likely to trap solar radiation i . . .
* * *
Mercury has part-time radiation belts
Scientists thought Mercury's magnetic field was disrupted by the sun too often to trap a radiation belt, but new analysis of MESSENGER data says that's not always the case
Key takeaways:
* When Mercury is further from the sun, its magnetic field is more likely to trap solar radiation i . . .