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Geophysical Research Letters
Volume 13, Issue 10

The Venus ultraviolet aurora: Observations at 130.4 nm

J. L. Phillips

Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles

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A. I. F. Stewart

Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado

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J. G. Luhmann

Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles

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First published: October 1986
https://doi.org/10.1029/GL013i010p01047
Citations: 36

Abstract

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.

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