Other
Scientific paper
Oct 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011epsc.conf.1022a&link_type=abstract
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011, held 2-7 October 2011 in Nantes, France. http://meetings.copernicus.org/epsc-dps2011, p.1022
Other
Scientific paper
A dense ionosphere is created by solar ultraviolet radiation ionizing the upper atmosphere of Venus. Since the planet does not possess an intrinsic magnetic field, the ionospheric plasma can directly interact with the solar wind. This interaction leads to the formation of a pseudo-magnetosphere which deflects the solar wind flow around Venus. Therefore its plasma environment is highly variable, depending on solar EUV intensity, solar wind dynamic pressure, the amplitude of the interplanetary magnetic field and several other factors. Currently, the solar activity is still rather low and therefore the Venus Express spacecraft allows for the first in-situ investigation of the Venus plasma environment near solar minimum. Previous in-situ measurements by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) took place at high solar activity and at different planetary latitudes. Using data from the magnetometer (MAG) and the electron sensor (ELS, part of the plasma package ASPERA-4) on board Venus Express, the locations of the photoelectron boundary (PEB), the induced magnetopause and the bow shock were determined (see Figure 1). Subsequently, the penetration of magnetic fields into the ionosphere was investigated. It is of particular interest to explore the different magnetic states of the ionosphere, since these influence the local plasma conductivity, currents and probably the escape of electrons and ions. The penetration of magnetic fields into the ionosphere depends on external conditions as well as on ionospheric properties. By analyzing a large number of orbits, using a combination of two different methods, we defined criteria to distinguish between the so-called magnetized and unmagnetized ionospheric states. Furthermore, we confirmed that the average magnetic field inside the ionosphere shows a linear dependence on the magnetic field in the region directly above the PEB, and we investigated several other interrelations between plasma parameters and magnetic fields. In order to confirm the identification of the PEB as well as its agreement with the ionopause position on the dayside, the Venus Express measurements will be compared to ionospheric density profiles resulting from model calculations.
Angsmann Anne
Barabash Stas
Dubinin Edik
Franz Marcel
Motschmann Uwe
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