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P. Szabo, H. Biber, N. Jäggi, D. Weichselbaum, M. Brenner, R. Stadlmayr, D. Mayer, A. Niggas, A. Mutzke, A. Nenning, M.C. Doppler, M. Sauer, A. Galli, J. Fleig, A. Foelske-Schmitz, D. Primetzhofer, H. Lammer, K. Mezger, P. Wurz, F. Aumayr:
"Sputtering of mercury and moon analogues by solar wind ions; invited talk";
Talk: 24th International Conference on Ion-Surface Interactions (ISI-2019), Moscow/Russia (invited); 2019-08-19; in: "Proc. of the XXIV International Conference on Ion-Surface Interactions (ISI-2019), editors: E.Yu. Zykova, P.A. Karaseov, A.I. Titov, V.E. Yurasova, 19.-23.08.2019, Moscow, Russia"", Vol.1; National Research University Higher School of Economics (2019), ISSN: 2308-6289; 44 - 49.

Rocky bodies in the solar system that are not protected by any significant atmosphere such as the Earth´s moon or the planet Mercury are affected by a large variety of influences from outer space. Micro-meteorite impacts, thermal and photon-stimulated desorption as well as sputtering by solar wind ions are among the most prominent effects ([1], see Figure 1). The severe changes of the surface are summed up under the term space weathering [3]. The surface is significantly eroded by impinging micrometeorites and ions, and vitrification and metallization change its optical properties [4]. Here the sputtering of the surfaces of planets, moons or asteroids represents an important contribution to the depletion of refractory, rock forming elements [5]. Understanding the effects that occur during solar wind sputtering is therefore essential for reproducing the development of celestial bodies such as the Moon or Mercury. Furthermore, atoms are emitted and form a thin exosphere around the body, with its composition being representative for the original surface [5, 6]. Analyzing the atoms and molecules that make up this exosphere therefore gives another possibility for remote examination of planets, moons and asteroids in the solar system [7]. Such investigations can be performed by a spacecraft in orbit or during a flyby maneuver. Studying the composition of Mercury´s exosphere by using a mass spectrometer is, for example, an integral part of ESA´s BepiColombo mission, which has recently launched and will arrive at the solar system´s innermost planet in 2025.