Abstract
Due to its lack of an intrinsic magnetic field, the fast flowing solar
wind plasma interacts directly with the Venusian ionosphere. The
velocity shear that occurs at the boundary may excite Kelvin-Helmholtz
instability, generating large vortices that may eventually detach
themselves from the ionopause forming either bubbles or filamentary
structures. Giant magnetic vortex like structures have been observed in
the Venusian magnetosheath by Venus Express. These structures provide a
mechanism for atmospheric escape processes. This paper provides a
statistical study of a number of these events to determine their
morphology and the upstream conditions that give rise to their
generation.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009 |
Volume | 33 |
State | Published - 1 Dec 2009 |
Keywords
- 2780 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS / Solar wind interactions with unmagnetized bodies
- 6295 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Venus
- 7836 SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS / MHD waves and instabilities