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Atmospheric interactions of planetary bodies with the solar wind

Nature volume 298, pages 229–234 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Orbiting spacecraft about Venus have revealed a partially penetrable boundary sheath with induced fields limiting solar wind effects on the atmosphere structure and evolution. Mars differs structurally, the explanation awaiting an orbiter mission such as the European Space Agency is considering. In weak comets gyro-radii exceed other scale lengths, while in active comets the gas and solar plasma couple over the largest scale, boundary sheaths being unimportant—as occurred during early rapid-outgassing phases of Venus and Mars.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Maths and Astronomy, University College, Cardiff, CF1 1XL, UK

    Max K. Wallis

  2. Max-Planck Institut für Aeronomie, D-4311, Katlenburg-Lindau, 3, FRG

    W.-H. Ip

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  1. Max K. Wallis
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Wallis, M., Ip, WH. Atmospheric interactions of planetary bodies with the solar wind. Nature 298, 229–234 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/298229a0

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