The dayside Venus ionosphere: I. Pioneer-Venus retarding potential analyzer experimental observations

Abstract

The median values of the principal ionospheric quantities of the Venus dayside ionosphere are presented. The values are derived from the quantities measured by the Pioneer-Venus orbiter retarding potential analyzer over a period of two Earth yaers at solar cycle maximum. Quantities reported are total ion density, O + density, O 2 + density, sum density (NO + + N 2 + + CO +), CO 2 + density, ion temperature, electron temperature, and plasma particle pressure. The data are organized to reveal altitude, solar zenith angle, solar longitude, and latitude dependences. The O + density exhibits both a solar longitude and a latitude dependence which we suggest is caused by superrotation of the thermosphere and/or ionosphere. Asymmetry between the dawn and dusk terminator regions in the behavior of other quantities is also descibed.