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An electrodynamic model of electric currents and magnetic fields in the dayside ionosphere of VenusThe electric current configuration induced in the ionosphere of Venus by the interaction of the solar wind has been calculated in previous papers (Cloutier and Daniell, 1973; Daniell and Cloutier, 1977; Cloutier and Daniell, 1979) for average steady-state solar wind conditions and interplanetary magnetic field. This model is generalized to include the effects of (1) plasma depletion and magnetic field enhancement near the ionopause, (2) velocity-shear-induced MHD instabilities of the Kelvin-Helmholtz type within the ionosphere, and (3) variations in solar wind parameters and interplanetary magnetic field. It is shown that the magnetic field configuration resulting from the model varies in response to changes in solar wind and interplanetary field conditions, and that these variations produce magnetic field profiles in excellent agreement with those seen by the Pioneer-Venus Orbiter. The formation of flux-ropes by the Kelving-Helmholtz instability is shown to be a natural consequence of the model, with the spatial distribution and size of the flux-ropes determined by the magnetic Reynolds number.
Document ID
19810058178
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cloutier, P. A.
(Rice Univ. Houston, TX, United States)
Tascione, T. F.
(Rice University Houston, TX, United States)
Danieli, R. E., Jr.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 29
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
81A42582
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-77-12996
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-23338
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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