Dependence of Venus ionopause altitude and ionospheric magnetic field on solar wind dynamic pressure
Dependence of Venus ionopause altitude and ionospheric magnetic field on solar wind dynamic pressure
- New search for: Phillips, J.L.
- New search for: Luhmann, J.G.
- New search for: Russell, C.T.
- New search for: Phillips, J.L.
- New search for: Luhmann, J.G.
- New search for: Russell, C.T.
Abstract The shape of the dayside Venus ionopause, and its dependence on solar wind parameters, is examined using Pioneer Venus Orbiter field and particle data. The ionopause is defined here as the altitude of pressure equality between magnetosheath magnetic pressure and ionospheric thermal pressure; its typical altitudes range from ∼300 km near the subsolar point to ∼900 km near the terminator. A strong correlation between ionopause altitude and magnetosheath magnetic pressure is demonstrated; correlation between magnetic pressure and the normally incident component of solar wind dynamic pressure is also evident. The data support the hypothesis of control of the ionopause altitude by solar wind dynamic pressure, manifested in the sheath as magnetic pressure. The presence of large scale magnetic fields in the ionosphere is observed primarily when dynamic pressure is high and the ionopause is low.
Document information
Dependence of Venus ionopause altitude and ionospheric magnetic field on solar wind dynamic pressure
Advances in Space Research ; 5 , 9 ; 173-176
1985-01-01
4 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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