Characterizing the low-altitude magnetic belt at Venus: Complementary observations from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Venus Express

Using Venus Express, Zhang et al. (2012b) identified strong magnetic field enhancements at low altitudes over the north polar region of Venus as giant flux ropes. Strong fields at low altitudes were also observed during the Pioneer Venus Orbiter mission, but at low latitudes near the subsolar and midnight regions. We examine the possibility that the Venus Express observations are not giant flux ropes, but part of a low-altitude magnetic belt that builds up in the subsolar region, passes over the terminator, and extends to the nightside. Our analysis indicates the magnetic belt is dominantly horizontal over the dayside and gains a radial component nightward. The peak magnetic field strength of the belt and the altitude at which it peaks also varies around the planet, with the lowest altitude and strongest field strength in the subsolar region, consistent with the idea of the belt forming on the dayside. Zhang et al. (2012b) also noted the fields in the polar region had a bias in the +By direction in Venus Solar Orbital coordinates. The multifluid magnetohydrodynamic simulation we present shows an asymmetry in the plasma flow from the subsolar region to the poles due to the oxygen ion and proton mass ratio. This causes the magnetic field to preferentially accumulate in the north for a +By interplanetary magnetic field direction, providing an explanation for this bias.