Solar Orbiter's first Venus flyby: Observations from the Radio and Plasma Wave instrument

0552558 - ASÚ 2022 RIV FR eng J - Journal Article
Hadid, L. Z. - Edberg, N.J.T. - Chust, T. - Štverák, Štěpán … Total 44 authors
Solar Orbiter's first Venus flyby: Observations from the Radio and Plasma Wave instrument.
Astronomy & Astrophysics. Roč. 656, December (2021), č. článku A18. ISSN 0004-6361. E-ISSN 1432-0746
Institutional support: RVO:67985815
Keywords : plasmas * waves * polarization
OECD category: Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Impact factor: 6.240, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access

In this paper, we review the main observations of the RPW instrument during VGAM1. They include the identification of a number of magnetospheric plasma wave modes, measurements of the electron number densities computed using the quasi-thermal noise spectroscopy technique and inferred from the probe-to-spacecraft potential, the observation of dust impact signatures, kinetic solitary structures, and localized structures at the bow shock, in addition to the validation of the wave normal analysis on-board from the Low Frequency Receiver. Methods. We used the data products provided by the different subsystems of RPW to study Venus' induced magnetosphere. The RPW instrument provided unprecedented AC magnetic and electric field measurements in Venus' induced magnetosphere for continuous frequency ranges and with high time resolution. These data allow for the conclusive identification of various plasma waves at higher frequencies than previously observed and a detailed investigation regarding the structure of the induced magnetosphere of Venus. Furthermore, noting that prior studies were mainly focused on the magnetosheath region and could only reach 10-12 Venus radii (R-V) down the tail, the particular orbit geometry of Solar Orbiter's VGAM1, allowed the first investigation of the nature of the plasma waves continuously from the bow shock to the magnetosheath, extending to similar to 70R(V) in the far distant tail region.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0327663