One-dimensional multi-species MHD model of the ionospheres of Venus and Mars

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6673479

Shinagawa, H

The behavior of the ionospheric magnetic fields and ionospheric plasma of the dayside ionospheres of Venus and Mars was studied using a one-dimensional multi-species MHD model. The coupled continuity, momentum, and Maxwell's equations were solved simultaneously for the major ions and for the magnetic field. In the ionosphere of Venus, the calculated magnetic-filed profiles were in good agreement with observations obtained by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter magnetometer at all altitudes. Good agreement was also obtained between the calculated and observed plasma densities for altitudes below 250 km, including the electron density ledge near 190 km in magnetized ionospheres. It was found that the magnetic field in the lower ionosphere is maintained by the magnetic flux transported from the magnetic barrier region by the downward plasma motion. The model was also applied to the ionosphere of Mars in order to study the solar wind-Mars interaction and to estimate the magnitude of a possible intrinsic magnetic field on Mars. The calculation showed that even a small intrinsic magnetic field (B approx. = 30 nT) results in considerably larger electron densities at high altitudes than the densities measured by the retarding potential analyzers on Viking 1 and 2.

• Research Organization: Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6673479
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTRON DENSITY
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MARS PLANET
MECHANICS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA DENSITY
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
VENUS PLANET