Determination of the Mercury’s Internal Dipole Parameters using MESSENGER Spacecraft Data

Using data on Mercury’s magnetic equatorial plane crossings by the MESSENGER spacecraft, we refine the position of Mercury’s planetary dipole. Magnetic equatorial plane crossings provide precise dipole offsets for each orbit. Using data on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) magnitude and direction during MESSENGER flybys, we determine the influence of the IMF on the equatorial plane crossing position and refine the previously determined dipole offset for orbits with insignificant IMF contributions.