A Statistical Study of Giant Magnetic Vortices Observed in the Venusian Magnetosheath

S. N. Walker, M. Balikhin, T. Zhang, A. Fedorov, M. Gedalin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

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 languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009
Volume33
StatePublished - 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

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Statistical Study of Giant Magnetic Vortices Observed in the Venusian Magnetosheath'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this