Modulation of dayside on and neutral distributions at Venus. Evidence of direct and indirect solar energy inputs

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Adv. Space Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6532558

Taylor, Jr, H A; Mayr, H G; Grebowsky, J M; Niemann, H B

The details of solar variability and its coupled effects on the Venusian dayside are examined for evidence of short-term perturbations and associated energy inputs. Ion and neutral measurements obtained from the Orbiter Ion Mass Spectrometer and Orbital Neutral mass Spectrometer are used to show that the dayside concentrations of CO2(+) and the neutral gas temperature are smoothly modulated with a 28-day cycle reasonably matching that of the solar F(10.7) and EUV fluxes. Earlier measurements show less pronounced and more irregular modulations and more conspicuous short-term day-to-day fluctuations in the ions and neutrals, as well as relatively large enhancements in the solar wind, which appear consistent with differences in solar coronal behavior during the two periods. It is suggested that the solar wind variations cause fluctuations in joule heating, producing the observed short-term ion and neutral variations. 10 references.

• Research Organization: NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
• OSTI ID: 6532558
• Report Number(s): CONF-820582-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Adv. Space Res.; (United States) Journal Volume: 2:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
ELECTRIC HEATING
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
HEATING
INTERACTIONS
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
ION DENSITY
ION TEMPERATURE
IONIZATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
RESISTANCE HEATING
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR FLUX
SOLAR WIND
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VARIATIONS
VENUS PLANET