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The Venus ultraviolet aurora: Observations at 130.4 nm
Author(s) -
Phillips J. L.,
Stewart A. I. F.,
Luhmann J. G.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl013i010p01047
Subject(s) - venus , atmosphere of venus , electron precipitation , physics , orbiter , ultraviolet , brightness , atmospheric sciences , interplanetary spaceflight , solar wind , astronomy , airglow , environmental science , astrobiology , plasma , optics , magnetosphere , quantum mechanics
Continuous and highly variable emissions at 130.4 nm are observed on the night‐side of Venus by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter ultraviolet spectrometer. The emissions have a typical intensity of 10‐20 R, occasionally exceed 100 R, and have a dawn‐dusk asymmetry in brightness during periods of unusual intensity. A possible energy source for this "aurora" is the precipitation of suprathermal electrons. Field and particle observations suggest an additional source for the brightest emissions which is associated with solar flares and/or interplanetary shocks.