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Science 29 December 1967:
Vol. 158. no. 3809, pp. 1673 - 1675
DOI: 10.1126/science.158.3809.1673
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Articles

Venus: An Upper Limit on Intrinsic Magnetic Dipole Moment Based on Absence of a Radiation Belt

J. A. Van Allen 1, S. M. Krimgis 1, L. A. Frank 1, and T. P. Armstrong 1

1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52240

On the basis of the absence of energetic electrons (Ee rang 45 kiloelectron volts) and protons (Ep rang 320 kiloelectron volts) associated with Venus to within a radial distance of 10,150 kilometers from the center of the planet and using a physical similitude argument and the observational and theoretical knowledge of the magnetosphere of Earth, we conclude that the intrinsic magnetic dipole moment of Venus is almost certainly less than 0.01 and probably less than 0.001 of that of Earth. Corresponding upper limits on the magnetic field at the equatorial surface of Venus are about 350 and 35 x 10-5 gauss, respectively.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Venus: The Next Phase of Planetary Exploration.
D. M. Hunten, D. M. Hunten, and R. M. Goody (1969)
Science 165, 1317-1323
   PDF »
The Planet Venus: Information received from Mariner V and Venera 4 is compared.
R. Jastrow and R. Jastrow (1968)
Science 160, 1403-1410
   PDF »
Mariner V Flight Past Venus.
C. W. Snyder and C. W. Snyder (1967)
Science 158, 1665-1669
   Abstract »    PDF »


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