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An Explanation of the Nightside Ionospheric Structure of Venus

Brecht, Stephen H.; Ledvina, Stephen A.

Hybrid simulations of Venus have produced nightside structure. It is believed these are the first simulations to produce the structure reported by spacecraft such as the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO). The simulations reveal that the structure is created by the ▽P_e ambipolar electric field when it aligns with local IMF (interplanetary magn…

In Situ Observations of the Ion Diffusion Region in the Venusian Magnetotail

Barabash, S.; Futaana, Y.; Wei, Y. +8 more

Utilizing the in situ observations of the Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA 4) and the magnetometer (MAG) onboard Venus Express, we report evidence of crossing the ion diffusion region of magnetic reconnection. Evidence of magnetic reconnection is based on two cases recorded by Venus Express in the Venusian magnetotail. In both…