The geomagnetic dynamos of the moon and Venus - Comparisons with a recent scaling lawThe evidence for the existence of an ancient lunar dynamo is reviewed along with the data on the magnetic field of Venus. These facts are then discussed in terms of Dolginov's scaling law for predicting magnetic moment of planets with a precession-driven dynamo. The precessional dynamo mechanism of Dolginov comes close to predicting the inferred magnetic moment of Venus, but this is viewed as a coincidence, for the Dolginov scaling law is based on an ad hoc force balance for which little justification is given. It assumes that the interiors of the planets have similar densities, conductivities, and precessional characteristics, whereas they clearly do not.
Document ID
19770051988
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Russell, C. T. (California, University Los Angeles, Calif., United States)
Goldstein, B. E. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)