Abstract The equilibrium electron density profile has been computed and compared with measured profiles by Venera 9 and Mariner 5 and 10. The computed electron density profile is seen to show discrepancies with measured data. The contribution of solar wind interaction induced convection to equilibrium electron density profile has been estimated. It is found that the convective processes are less important at lower altitudes, whereas at higher altitudes its contribution becomes dominant. The night side Venus ionosphere is formed due to the transport of O+ and impact ionization of neutral gases by suprathermal electrons. The discrepancies in theoretical and measured electron density profiles provide clear indication of additional energy source of solar wind origin.
Solar wind-Venus interaction affecting ionospheric electron density profile
Advances in Space Research ; 5 , 4 ; 317-320
1985-01-01
4 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Ionospheric losses of Venus in the solar wind
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