Computer Science
Scientific paper
Sep 1970
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1970p%26ss...18.1281s&link_type=abstract
Planetary and Space Science, Volume 18, Issue 9, p. 1281-1299.
Computer Science
32
Scientific paper
The hydromagnetic theory of solar wind flow past the Earth has been extended and modified so as to be applicable to nonmagnetic planets, such as Venus and Mars, that have a sufficient ionosphere to deflect the solar plasma around the planet and its atmosphere. The principal difference in the analysis stems from the fact that the current sheath that bounds the solar wind away from the planet is formed by interaction with the ionosphere rather than with the geomagnetic field as in the case of the Earth. After stating the principal assumptions and equations, the theory is applied to determine the shape of the ionosphere boundary, or ionopause, across which the Newtonian approximation for the pressure of the flowing plasma is balanced by the pressure of a stationary ionosphere. Specific numerical results are given for a wide range of ionospheric parameters representative of those proposed for Venus and Mars. The location of the bow wave and the properties of the flow field are then calculated using magnetohydrodynamic and gasdynamic considerations in a manner similar to that employed for the flow of the solar wind plasma past the Earth's magnetosphere. Examination of the results reveals a correspondance rule that enables results presently available for the location of the bow wave and the properties of the flow about the Earth's magnetosphere to be converted rapidly into those for a nonmagnetic planet by a simple relabeling of the scales. The results are shown to be in general accordance with observations made by Mariner 5 as it flew past Venus, although certain differences near the theoretical location of the ionopause suggest the presence of a thick boundary layer. A similar analysis of the data from Mariners 4,6 and 7 indicates that Mars has a sufficient ionosphere for the theory to be applicable. Further comparison is relatively uninformative beyond revealing no inconsistencies with the theoretical results, however, because Mariner 4 did not approach close enough, and Mariners 6 and 7 were not equipped to make the necessary measurements.
Rizzi Arthur W.
Spreiter John R.
Summers Audrey L.
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