Model of superthermal ions in the postshock flow field at Venus

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dc.contributor.advisorCloutier, Paul A.en_US
dc.creatorKramer, Leonarden_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T00:38:01Zen_US
dc.date.available2009-06-04T00:38:01Zen_US
dc.date.issued1992en_US
dc.description.abstractThe role of the superthermal ions in the dayside postshock ionospheric flow field at Venus is investigated in a 2-D model by integrating the equation of motion of a superthermal population of O$\sp+$ test particles and statistically examining their contribution to the altitude variation of number density and horizontal current distribution. The model reveals superthermal ions $\vec {\rm E} \times \vec {\rm B}$ drifting downward and gradient drifting horizontally with attendant currents. Regions of "wrapped up" plasma known as fluxropes and identified previously as resulting from Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the ionosphere are found to significantly scatter ions and limit the horizontal currents. Monte-Carlo simulation of charge exchange and subsequent neutral-on-neutral collision processes produce a substantial vertical flux of ballistic neutrals with hyperbolic trajectories possibly representing a heretofore unrecognized atmospheric loss mechanism at Venus. Modeled altitude profiles of superthermal density superficially agree with empirical analysis by Stewart (1991) for a "missing" pressure term in the momentum balance requirements. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)en_US
dc.format.extent73 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoThesis Sp. Sci. 1992 Krameren_US
dc.identifier.citationKramer, Leonard. "Model of superthermal ions in the postshock flow field at Venus." (1992) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13676">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13676</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/13676en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectPlasma physicsen_US
dc.subjectAstronomyen_US
dc.subjectAstrophysicsen_US
dc.titleModel of superthermal ions in the postshock flow field at Venusen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentSpace Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen_US
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