X-ray spectroscopy at Mercury - preparing for BepiColombo MIXS
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The Mercury imaging X-ray spectrometer (MIXS) will collect X-ray data from the surface of Mercury after the arrival of BepiColombo in ~2025. The data set created will contain information about the elemental composition of the surface layers of Mercury's regolith and the dynamic interaction of Mercury and its Magnetospheric and plasma environment. My project will prepare for scientific exploitation of this data set by creating data analysis methods that are optimised for the MIXS instrument. These methods will be validated against data from on-ground testing and the archive from the X-ray spectrometer on MESSENGER. I will also identify/prioritise key targets of scientific interest for future study.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Adrian Martindale (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Graeme Hall (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/N504117/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2021 | |||
| 1936692 | Studentship | ST/N504117/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/08/2021 | Graeme Hall |
| ST/R504890/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1936692 | Studentship | ST/R504890/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/08/2021 | Graeme Hall |
| Description | Articles for 'Popular Astronomy' Magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Wrote several articles about general space news, including launch preparations for the BepiColombo mission |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | New Scientist Live (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On stand, talking to the public about MIXS and BepiColombo |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Prospective student Open Days (Leicester) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Gave a 10 minute talk to prospective students about MIXS and my research at University of Leicester |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On stand, talking to the public about MIXS and BepiColombo |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | School Visit (Leicester) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Attended a Q&A session called 'Meet a Professional' with Year 8 secondary students |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Talk at Amateur Astronomy Club (Wolverhampton) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Gave a 45 minute talk about Mercury and MIXS. Second talk was an update and look at Mercury in detail. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |