The role of charge exchange in the solar wind absorption by Venus

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Abstract
The amount of solar wind absorbed due to charge exchange processes in the dayside ionosheath of Venus is calculated. The calculations indicate the existence of a lower limiting ionopause altitude, below which all solar wind particles are removed from the flow by charge exchange. It is suggested that the cold and slow new ions, resulting from this interaction, play an important role in building the magnetic barrier observed just outside the ionopause, and also in creating the dayside “mantle” and downstream “penumbra” regions. The total absorption caused by charge exchange is typically 2‐5%, but it can reach values as high as 16%, when the solar wind dynamic pressure is very high.