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Comparison of dayside current layers in Venus' ionosphere and earth's equatorial electrojetThe major physical aspects of the equatorial electrojet of Earth and the dayside ionospheric current layers of Venus are compared, viz., the electric current intensity and total current, roles of electric field, pressure and gravity, diffusion time scales, and the Bernouille effect. The largest potential differences, of the order of 10 volts, horizontally across the dayside ionosphere of Venus, have important implications for possible dynamo action in the Venus ionosphere and the application of an electric field from the lower atmosphere or from the solar wind. An upper limit to the horizontal scale of vertical magnetic fields in the Venus ionosphere is estimated thereby for the first time. New upper limits on the velocity in, and thickness of, a possible S layer at Venus are presented. If an S layer exists, it is only for extreme conditions of the solar wind. A mechanism for formation of magnetic ropes in the Venus ionosphere is also proposed.
Document ID
19930046803
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cole, Keith D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 98
Issue: A3
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
93A30800
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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