Atmospheric erosion of Venus during stormy space weather

Details Atmospheric erosion of Venus during stormy space weather Atmospheric erosion of Venus during stormy space weather

Sep 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011jgra..11609308e&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 116, Issue A9, CiteID A09308

Physics

2

Interplanetary Physics: Coronal Mass Ejections (4305, 7513), Interplanetary Physics: Corotating Streams, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetic Reconnection (7526, 7835), Magnetospheric Physics: Solar Wind Interactions With Unmagnetized Bodies, Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Venus

Scientific paper

We study atmospheric escape from Venus during solar minimum conditions when 147 corotating interaction regions (CIRs) and interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) combined impact on the planet. This is the largest study to date of the effects of stormy space weather on Venus and we show for the first time statistically that the atmosphere of Venus is significantly affected by CIRs and ICMEs. When such events impact on Venus, as observed by the ACE and Venus Express satellites, the escape rate of Venus's ionosphere is measured to increase by a factor of 1.9, on average, compared to quiet solar wind times. However, the increase in escape flux during impacts can occasionally be significantly larger by orders of magnitude. Taking into account the occurrence rate of such events we find that roughly half (51%) of the outflow occurs during stormy space weather. Furthermore, we particularly discuss the importance of the increased solar wind dynamic pressure as well as the polarity change of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in terms of causing the increase escape rate. The IMF polarity change across a CIR/ICME could cause dayside magnetic reconnection processes to occur in the induced magnetosphere of Venus, which would add to the erosion through associated particle acceleration.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Atmospheric erosion of Venus during stormy space weather does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Atmospheric erosion of Venus during stormy space weather, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Atmospheric erosion of Venus during stormy space weather will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1406253