Initial observations of the nightside ionosphere of Venus from Pioneer Venus Orbiter radio occultations

Details Initial observations of the nightside ionosphere of Venus from Pioneer Venus Orbiter radio occultations Initial observations of the nightside ionosphere of Venus from Pioneer Venus Orbiter radio occultations

Jul 1979

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1979sci...205...99k&link_type=abstract

Science, vol. 205, July 6, 1979, p. 99-102.

Physics

12

Ionospheric Electron Density, Night Sky, Planetary Ionospheres, Radio Occultation, Venus Atmosphere, Density Distribution, Pioneer Venus 1 Spacecraft, Satellite-Borne Instruments, Solar Position, Solar Wind Velocity, Vertical Distribution, Terminators, Electrons, Flux, Nightside, Ionosphere, Density, Transport, Venus, Probes, Pioneer Venus, Radio Occultation, Ionization, Structure

Scientific paper

Results of radio occultation measurements of electron density profiles of the nightside ionosphere of Venus at solar zenith angles from 90 to 164 deg, obtained from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, are reported. Data were derived from closed-loop S- and X-band signals received by the Deep Space Network upon ionospheric entry and exit of the spacecraft. Nightside electron density profiles are found to be rather uniform in the solar zenith angle range of from 95 to 107 deg, with peak electron densities ranging from 23,000 to 40,000/cu cm, while between 110 and 164 deg, profiles exhibit a high degree of variability and peak electron densities vary from 7,600 to 31,800/cu cm. A possible mechanism for the maintenance of the nightside Venus ionosphere during the long Venus night, which is consistent with the observed spatial and temporal variability of deep ionospheric electron density profiles, is proposed to be impact ionization by precipitating particles, although transport processes from the dayside may also be important.

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