An empirical model of the Venusian outer environment 2. The shape and location of the bow shock

Abstract

Venera 9 and Venera 10 bow shock crossings are analyzed for solar zenith angles in the range from ∼25° to ∼153°. The best fit to 62 observed crossings gives the location of the subsolar point of the bow shock as ∼7600 km from the center of Venus or 1.27 R_v. Comparison of Venera 9 and Venera 10 bow shock crossings with those observed by the Pioneer Venus orbiter indicate that both the secular variation and the latitudinal asymmetry may be responsible for the closer shock crossings of the Venera 9 and Venera 10 spacecraft.