Dynamics of the Venus ionosphere. Final technical report, 1 January 1985-31 May 1988

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6594243

Miller, K L

Data from the Pioneer-Venus orbiter has demonstrated the importance of understanding ion dynamics in the Venus ionosphere. The analysis of the data has shown that during solar maximum the topside Venus ionosphere in the dark hemisphere is generated almost entirely on the dayside of the planet during solar maximum, and flows with supersonic velocities across the terminator into the nightside. The flow field in the ionosphere is mainly axially-symmetric about the sun-Venus axis, as are most measured ionospheric quantities. The primary data base used consisted of the ion velocity measurements made by the RPA during three years that periapsis of the orbiter was maintained in the Venus ionosphere. Examples of ion velocities were published and modeled. This research examined the planetary flow patterns measured in the Venus ionosphere, and the physical implications of departures from the mean flow.

• Research Organization: Utah State Univ., Logan (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6594243
• Report Number(s): N-89-10779; NASA-CR-183167; NAS-1.26:183167; TRN: 89-001266
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
ION MOBILITY
SUPERSONIC FLOW
VENUS PLANET
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
ION DENSITY
IONOSPHERE
KINETIC ENERGY
PROGRESS REPORT
ATMOSPHERES
DATA
DOCUMENT TYPES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENERGY
FLUID FLOW
INFORMATION
MOBILITY
NUMERICAL DATA
PARTICLE MOBILITY
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLANETS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena