Magnetization of the ionospheres of Venus and Mars: Results from radio occultation measurements

Abstract

In situ measurements by the Pioneer Venus orbiting spacecraft, conducted during solar maximum only, have shown that magnetization (permeation of large‐scale magnetic fields) of the ionosphere of Venus occurs under high solar wind dynamic pressure and that this takes place most frequently near the subsolar region. Magnetization is also revealed in electron density profiles by the presence of disturbed topside plasma and/or a ledge near the altitude of 200 km. In this paper we use remote sensing radio occultation measurements to study magnetization of the ionospheres of Venus and Mars based on these characteristics. For Venus we take advantage of the unique data set consisting of 148 electron density profiles deduced from Pioneer Venus radio occultation measurements. We demonstrate that radio occultation measurements yield results on frequency of occurrence of magnetization during solar maximum that are similar to those obtained from the Pioneer Venus in situ magnetic field measurements. During solar minimum, for which direct ionospheric measurements have never been made, we find that magnetization of the Venus ionosphere is more pervasive than at solar maximum. Magnetization extends to higher solar zenith angles (SZA) and appears stronger than at solar maximum. These results confirm that during solar minimum, the high solar wind dynamic pressure state is more prevalent at Venus because the ionospheric plasma pressure is weaker than at solar maximum. Comparison of a large number of electron density profiles of Mars (deduced from radio occultation measurements by the Viking 1 and 2 and Mariner 9 spacecraft for SZA > 46°) with those of Venus shows an absence of the ledge and disturbed topside plasma observed in the Venus profiles. These results, however, do not constitute evidence against magnetization of the ionosphere of Mars, as Shinagawa and Cravens (1989) have shown in their one‐dimensional MHD models that, even when the ionosphere of Mars is highly magnetized, the magnetic structure differs from that at Venus, and a ledge does not form in its electron density profiles.