Mass-loading and the formation of the Venus tail |
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| Authors: | CT Russell MA Saunders JG Luhmann |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, U.S.A.;2. Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ, England |
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| Abstract: | Despite its lack of an intrinsic magnetic field Venus has a well defined magnetotail, containing about 3 megawebers of magnetic flux in a tail about 4 RV across with perhaps a slightly elliptical cross section. This tail arises through the mass-loading of magnetic flux tubes passing by the planet. Mass-loading can occur due to charge exchange and photo-ionization as well as from the diffusion of magnetic field into the ionosphere. Various evidence exists for the mass-loading process, including the direct observation of the picked up ions with both the Venera and Pioneer Venus plasma analyzers. |
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