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Observations of the nightside Venus ionosphere: Final encounter of the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Ion Mass SpectrometerDuring the last orbital sequences of the Pioneer-Venus spacecraft prior to final encounter and atmospheric entry, data were obtained by the Orbiter Ion Mass Spectrometer (OIMS) at the lowest periapsis altitudes of the mission. These data verified OIMS observations of the nightside ionospheric peak reported earlier in the mission, and revealed additional details related to composition, energetics and maintenance of the nightside ionosphere. OIMS observations of the ion peak during the final encounter sequence are compared with radio occultation data and OIMS peak observations obtained earlier. OIMS ion density and Orbiter Electron Temperature Probe (OETP) electron density are found to correlate near the peak. Coupling of mass channels 30 and 32 during nightside passes is observed and its interpretation considered. Changes in high altitude composition of the nightside ionosphere, especially the relative changes in O(+) and H(+), are described.
Document ID
19950039559
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cloutier, P. A.
(Rice Univ. Houston, TX, United States)
Kramer, L.
(Rice Univ. Houston, TX, United States)
Taylor, H. A., Jr.
(Taylor Enterprises Beaver River, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 14, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 20
Issue: 23
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
95A71158
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-566
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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