Spiraling magnetic field lines within Mercury's magnetosphere. "Flux Transfer Events" are those originating from the Magnetopause, while Plasmoids are those originating from within the Magnetotail. They allow solar wind particles direct access to its surface, where they collide with the surface and kick up material, which replenishes Mercury's atmosphere. Mercury's distance from the sun can only account for 30% of these events, some undetermined property is responsible for the rest.