Factors controlling the location of the venus bow shock

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA088iA07p05613· OSTI ID:5811746

Tatrallyay, M; Russell, C T; Mihalov, J D; Barnes, A

The location of the Venus bow shock determined from magnetic field measurements during the first and third years of Pioneer Venus orbiter operation is examined and compared with nearly simultaneously obtained interplanetary solar wind data to determine those factors that control the size of the Venus bow shock. The location of the intersection of the bow shock with the terminator that is best determined by the data does not vary significantly between years 1979 and 1981 and is only 16% more distant than the Venera 9 and 10 shock when account is taken of solar wind aberration. Alfvenic Mach number and magnetosonic Mach number affect the size of the bow shock significantly. Solar wind dynamic pressure has a lesser effect. No significant asymmmetries in the shock shape were found either as a result of the orientation of the clock angle of the IMF inn the terminator plane or the angle of the IMF relative to the shock normal.

• Research Organization: Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• OSTI ID: 5811746
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 88:A7; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
ATMOSPHERES
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MACH NUMBER
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOACOUSTIC WAVES
PIONEER SPACE PROBES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
SHOCK WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
VELOCITY
VENUS PLANET