What protection does Venus possess instead of an intrinsic magnetic field generated by an internal dynamo?
An induced magnetosphere
Venus lacks the internal dynamo mechanism that Earth utilizes, meaning it does not generate a magnetic field originating deep within its core. Instead, the planet relies on an induced magnetosphere for protection. This structure is fundamentally external, forming when the stream of charged particles known as the solar wind directly collides with the planet's upper atmosphere and ionosphere. This interaction compresses the surrounding plasma, effectively creating a magnetic barrier or 'bubble' that diverts the solar wind flow around the planet. While this mechanism provides necessary deflection against atmospheric erosion, it is less comprehensive than a globally generated intrinsic field because the interaction occurs directly at the atmospheric boundary.
