A large‐scale flow vortex in the Venus plasma tail and its fluid dynamic interpretation

摘要: [1] We report on the existence of a large-scale ion flow vortex, curled tailward solar wind H+ (SW H+), and ionospheric O+ in Venus plasma tail. The vortex commences at dusk (−Y), driven by transverse (to wind) aberration component. Dusk magnetosheath ions move westward across nightside into dawn sector, from where lateral merges tailward-moving vortex. A fluid analysis SW energy momentum (E&M) transfer to terminator, shows that E&M balance (efficiency ≈1) is achieved altitude range 1200–600 km. Below 600 km flow, moving along direction atmospheric superrotation, dominates. Conversely, dominates high-altitude tail hardly unique. Other gaseous celestial objects (comets) orbiting Sun may develop similar vortices.