Modeling the impact of an X-class solar flare on theexosphere of Mercury

Abstract : In this first work we simulate the response of Mercury's exosphere to an X-class solar flare. The momentaneous increase in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photon flux during a solar flare functions well as a proxy for modeling the response of the exosphere to extreme variations in the external plasma conditions. This test will allow us to extend such short-term time variations to model the impact of a CME on the precipitation of sodium and other species in Mercury's coupled exosphere-magnetosphere system.