Collinson, GA;
Frahm, RA;
Glocer, A;
Coates, AJ;
Grebowsky, JM;
Barabash, S;
Domagal-Goldman, SD;
... Zhang, TL; + view all
(2016)
The electric wind of Venus: A global and persistent "polar wind"-like ambipolar electric field sufficient for the direct escape of heavy ionospheric ions.
Geophysical Research Letters
, 43
(12)
pp. 5926-5934.
10.1002/2016GL068327.
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Abstract
Understanding what processes govern atmospheric escape and the loss of planetary water is of paramount importance for understanding how life in the universe can exist. One mechanism thought to be important at all planets is an “ambipolar” electric field that helps ions overcome gravity. We report the discovery and first quantitative extraterrestrial measurements of such a field at the planet Venus. Unexpectedly, despite comparable gravity, we show the field to be five times stronger than in Earth's similar ionosphere. Contrary to our understanding, Venus would still lose heavy ions (including oxygen and all water-group species) to space, even if there were no stripping by the solar wind. We therefore find that it is possible for planets to lose heavy ions to space entirely through electric forces in their ionospheres and such an “electric wind” must be considered when studying the evolution and potential habitability of any planet in any star system.
Type: | Article |
---|---|
Title: | The electric wind of Venus: A global and persistent "polar wind"-like ambipolar electric field sufficient for the direct escape of heavy ionospheric ions |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1002/2016GL068327 |
Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016GL068327 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | © 2016. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. • An edited version of this paper was published by AGU. Copyright 2016 American Geophysical Union. Collinson, GA; Frahm, RA; Glocer, A; Coates, AJ; Grebowsky, JM; Barabash, S; Domagal-Goldman, SD; (2016) The electric wind of Venus: A global and persistent "polar wind"-like ambipolar electric field sufficient for the direct escape of heavy ionospheric ions. Geophysical Research Letters , 43 (12) pp. 5926-5934. 10.1002/2016GL068327. To view the published open abstract, go to http://dx.doi.org and enter the DOI. |
Keywords: | Science & Technology, Physical Sciences, Geosciences, Multidisciplinary, Geology, UPPER LIMIT, PHOTOELECTRONS, DEUTERIUM, ASPERA-4, HYDROGEN, PLASMA, WATER, MARS, MAGNETOSPHERE, CONSISTENT |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1504283 |
1. | United States | 4 |
2. | Russian Federation | 2 |
3. | Indonesia | 1 |
4. | United Kingdom | 1 |
5. | China | 1 |
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