@article{Edberg:2026:10.1029/2025JA034813,
author = {Edberg, NJT and Boldu, J and Eriksson, AI and Kim, K and Persson, M and Andrews, DJ and Khotyaintsev, YV and Vecchio, A and Maksimovic, M and Chust, T and Hadid, LZ and Horbury, TS and Galand, MIF and Matteini, L and Pía, D and Souek, J and Kretzschmar, M and Owen, CJ and Bale, SD},
doi = {10.1029/2025JA034813},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics},
title = {Solar Orbiter in Venus' Ionosphere: Observations From the 4th Flyby},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2025JA034813},
volume = {131},
year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
AB  - Solar Orbiter entered the topside ionosphere of Venus for the first time when performing its 4th flyby of the planet, reaching an altitude of 378 km on 18 Feb 2025. High-cadence electron density measurements showed previously unresolved fine-structuring within plasma regions and boundaries, particularly at the ionopause. During the rapid flyby, a rare snapshot of the entire induced magnetosphere was captured during calm solar wind conditions around solar maximum. A well-structured and a relatively steady plasma environment was observed. Assuming an electron temperature of 0.5 eV, pressure balance was found across the ionopause, while at the same time quasi-periodic density and magnetic field variations suggest boundary oscillations. Near closest approach, non-force free magnetic flux ropes were observed. Small-scale perturbations in both magnetic field strength and density across them indicate them being dynamically evolving, rather than in a stationary state.
AU  - Edberg,NJT
AU  - Boldu,J
AU  - Eriksson,AI
AU  - Kim,K
AU  - Persson,M
AU  - Andrews,DJ
AU  - Khotyaintsev,YV
AU  - Vecchio,A
AU  - Maksimovic,M
AU  - Chust,T
AU  - Hadid,LZ
AU  - Horbury,TS
AU  - Galand,MIF
AU  - Matteini,L
AU  - Pía,D
AU  - Souek,J
AU  - Kretzschmar,M
AU  - Owen,CJ
AU  - Bale,SD
DO  - 10.1029/2025JA034813
PY  - 2026///
SN  - 2169-9380
TI  - Solar Orbiter in Venus' Ionosphere: Observations From the 4th Flyby
T2  - Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2025JA034813
VL  - 131
ER  - 

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