Model of the variability of the Venus ionpause altitude

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL006i005p00353· OSTI ID:5981890

Wolff, R S; Goldstein, B E; Kumar, S

A model for the variability of the Venus ionopause as a function of solar wind dynamic pressure and EUV flux during quiescent solar wind conditions is presented. The radio occultation measurements of the Venus ionopause from Mariner 5, 10, and Venera 9, 10 spacecraft, as well as recent in situ Pioneer Venus measurements are interpreted in terms of this model. An ionospheric model consistent with observations in the 400--1000 km region is predominantly 0/sup +/ with densities approx.104 cm/sup -3/ and (T/sub e/+T/sub i/i) approx.4500--6500 /sup 0/K. For ionopause measurements below 400 km the ionosphere appears severely compressed and density and temperature profiles cannot be simply described, although a strong correlation with solar wind dynamic pressure is observed. Possible effects of IMF direction switching on the dynamics and structure of the ionosphere are also considered and compared with available ionopause data.

• Research Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91103
• OSTI ID: 5981890
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 6:5; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
CHARGED PARTICLES
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
OXYGEN IONS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA DENSITY
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
VARIATIONS
VENUS PLANET