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Oscillation of Venus' upper atmosphere

Forbes, J. M.; Konopliv, A.

Little is known about the variability of Venus' upper atmosphere. We report discovery of a large (~ +/-30-50%) 9-day period density oscillation, derived from radar tracking of the Magellan spacecraft from 15 Sept 92 - 24 May 93. The densities correspond to 164-184 km altitude, 11°N latitude, and cover all local times. The wave is presumed to propa…