Polarization studies of the Venus uv contrasts: Cloud height and haze variability     

Larry W. Esposito  Larry D. Travis 《Icarus》1982,51(2):374-390

Polarimetry is able to show direct evidence for compositional differences in the Venus clouds. We present observations (collected during $\text{2}\text{1}\text{2}$ Venus years by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter) of the polarization in four colors of the bright and dark ultraviolet features. We find that the polarization is significantly different between the bright and dark areas. The data show that the “null” model of L. W. Esposito (1980, J. Geophys. Res.85, 8151–8157) and the “overlying haze” model of J. B. Pollack et al. (1980, J. Geophys. Res.85, 8223–8231) are insufficient. Exact calculations of the polarization, including multiple scattering and vertical inhomogeneity near the Venus cloud tops, are able to match the observations. Our results give a straightforward interpretation of the polarization differences in terms of known constituents of the Venus atmosphere. The submicron haze and uv absorbers are anticorrelated: for haze properties as given by K. Kawabata et al. (1980, J. Geophys. Res.85, 8129–8140) the excess haze depth at 9350 Å over the bright regions is Δτ_h = 0.03 ± 0.02. The cloud top is slightly lower in the dark features: the extra optical depth at 2700 Å in Rayleigh scattering above the darker areas is Δτ_R = 0.010 ± 0.005. This corresponds to a height difference of 1.2 ± 0.6 km at the cloud tops. The calculated polarization which matches our data also explains the relative polarization of bright and dark features observed by Mariner 10. The observed differential polarization cannot be explained by differential distribution of haze, if the haze aerosols have an effective size of 0.49 μm, as determined by K. Kawabata et al. (1982, submitted) for the aerosols overlying the Venus equator. We propose two models for the uv contrasts consistent with our results. In a physical model, the dark uv regions are locations of vertical convergence and horizontal divergence. In a chemical model, we propose that the photochemistry is limited by local variations in water vapor and molecular oxygen. The portions of the atmosphere where these constituents are depleted at the cloud tops are the dark uv features. Strong support for this chemical explanation is the observation that the number of sulfur atoms above the cloud tops is equal over both the bright and dark areas. The mass budget of sulfur at these altitudes is balanced between excess sulfuric acid haze over the bright regions and excess SO₂ in the dark regions.  相似文献   

HHSMT observations of the Venusian mesospheric temperature, winds, and CO abundance around the MESSENGER flyby     

Miriam Rengel  Paul Hartogh  Christopher Jarchow 《Planetary and Space Science》2008,56(13):1688-1695

We present submillimeter observations of ¹²CO J=3-2 and 2-1, and ¹³CO J=2-1 lines of the Venusian mesosphere and lower thermosphere with the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope (HHSMT) taken around the second MESSENGER flyby of Venus on 5 June 2007. The observations cover a range of Venus solar elongations with different fractional disk illuminations. Preliminary results like temperature and CO abundance profiles are presented.These data are part of a coordinated observational campaign in support of the ESA Venus Express mission. Furthermore, this study attempts to contribute to cross-calibrate space- and ground-based observations, to constrain radiative transfer and retrieval algorithms for planetary atmospheres, and to a more thorough understanding of the global patters of circulation of the Venusian atmosphere.  相似文献   

Mesospheric vertical thermal structure and winds on Venus from HHSMT CO spectral-line observations     

Miriam Rengel  Paul Hartogh  Christopher Jarchow 《Planetary and Space Science》2008,56(10):1368-1384

We report vertical thermal structure and wind velocities in the Venusian mesosphere retrieved from carbon monoxide (¹²CO J=2-1 and ¹³CO J=2-1) spectral line observations obtained with the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope (HHSMT). We observed the mesosphere of Venus from two days after the second Messenger flyby of Venus (on 5 June 2007 at 23:10 UTC) during five days. Day-to-day and day-to-night temperature variations and short-term fluctuations of the mesospheric zonal flow were evident in our data. The extensive layer of warm air detected recently by SPICAV at 90-100 km altitude is also detected in the temperature profiles reported here.These data were part of a coordinated ground-based Venus observational campaign in support of the ESA Venus Express mission. Furthermore, this study attempts to cross-calibrate space- and ground-based observations, to constrain radiative transfer and retrieval algorithms for planetary atmospheres, and to contribute to a more thorough understanding of the global patterns of circulation of the Venusian atmosphere.  相似文献   

On Parameters of the Earth-Like Model of Venus     

Zharkov  V. N.  Gudkova  T. V.  Nikol’skii  A. 《Solar System Research》2019,53(1):1-4

A brief review on the history of constructing Earth-like models of the Venusian interior is presented. Available observational data are analyzed. An explanation for the anomalously large ratio of the quadrupole gravitational moment J₂ to the small parameter of Venus q is proposed. Thus, estimates were obtained for the precession constant and principal moments of inertia for the Earth-like model of Venus.

  相似文献   

Progressive Build Up Of Co 2 In The AtmosphereOf Venus Through Multiple Volcanic Resurfacing Events     

Lopez  Ivan  Oyarzun  Roberto  Marquez  Alvaro  Doblas-Reyes  Francisco  Laurrieta  Alejandro 《Earth, Moon, and Planets》1998,81(3):187-192

In absence of other mechanisms, the main input of CO₂into the Venusian atmosphere is via volcanic out gassing. Since Venus can be regarded as a planet-wide large igneous province, we can expect large quantities of CO₂ being transferred into its atmosphere via volcanic out gassing. We have quantified the maximum possible amount of CO₂ that can be out gassed via a single massive episode of resurfacing of the planet. This figure (5.6 × 10¹⁹ kg of CO₂) is about 8 times smaller than the total CO₂ present in the Venusian atmosphere (4.55 × 10²⁰ kg CO₂). The lack of planet-wide, efficient mechanisms for the recycling of CO₂ on Venus indicates that CO₂ has progressively accumulated in the atmosphere. Based on these considerations we suggest that the “equivalent” to eight global resurfacing episodes would be required to account for the present values of CO_{2 atmosphere}. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.  相似文献   

Monte Carlo study of interaction between solar wind plasma and Venusian upper atmosphere     

V. I. Shematovich  D. V. Bisikalo  S. Barabash  G. Stenberg 《Solar System Research》2014,48(5):317-323

Isolated events of proton and alpha particle precipitation in the Venusian atmosphere were recorded with the use of the ASPERA-4 analyzer on board the ESA Venus Express spacecraft. Using a Monte Carlo simulation method for calculation of proton and alpha particle precipitations in the Venusian atmosphere, reflected and upward directed particle fluxes have been found. It has been found that only a vanishing percentage of protons and alpha particles are backscattered to the Venusian exosphere when neglecting the induced magnetic field and under conditions of low solar activity. Accounting for the induced field drastically changes the situation: the backscattered by the atmosphere energy fluxes increase up to 44% for the horizontal magnetic field B = 20 nT, measured for Venus, for the case of precipitating protons, and up to 64%, for alpha particles. The reflected energy fluxes increase to about 100% for both protons and alpha particles as the field grows to 40 nT, i.e., the atmosphere is protected against penetration of solar wind particles.  相似文献   

Venus gravity field: Pioneer Venus orbiter navigation results     

B.G. Williams  N.A. Mottinger  N.D. Panagiotacopulos 《Icarus》1983,56(3):578-589

The gravity field of Venus has been modeled by a spherical harmonic expansion of the potential to degree and order seven. The estimates of these coefficients were obtained by combining information from 43 short arcs (4 hr) of line-of-sight Doppler data centered at periapsis. The data arcs were distributed in longitude and time over more than two circulations of Venus by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter subperiapsis point which was confined to the band of latitudes from 14°N to 17°N. Convergence of the solution has been assured by iterating upon the initial estimate. All estimates were performed with zero a priori information on the gravity coefficients. Since the altitude of periapsis for most of the orbits was within the sensible Venusian atmosphere, drag effects on the estimated harmonics have been removed using an exponential atmosphere density model. Estimates of the mass parameter (GM) of Venus using this dataset are also evaluated.  相似文献   

Saturn: UBV photoelectric pinhole scans of the disk,II     

Michael J. Pricez  Otto G. Franz 《Icarus》1980,44(3):657-666

During the 1980 Saturn apparition, calibrated UBV pinhole scans of the disk were obtained with a photoelectric area-scanning photometer. Point spread function data were also taken. Equatorial and polar scans were used to investigate the structure of the Satur atmosphere. The observational geometry was optimum. Not only was Saturn at opposition, but the ring system was essentially edge on to both the Sun and Earth. Our analysis indicates that the atmosphere of Saturn can be represented by a finite clear H₂ layer overlaying a semi-infinite absorbent aerosol haze. The extent of the clear H₂ region appears to be latitude dependent. The H₂ column density varies systematically from ～15 km-am over the equatorial and polar regions to ～ 31 km-am at temperate latitudes. The hemispheres of the planet are similar. Our earlier conclusion, that the aerosol haze is strongly absorbent in the ultraviolet, is confirmed; its effective U-band single-scattering albedo is ～0.4. Latitudinal disk structure at visual wavelengths appears to be the result of local variations in the volume density of absorbent particles in the aerosol layer.  相似文献   

The reaction products of solar hydrogen and components of the high atmosphere of Venus—A possible source of the Venusian clouds     

R. C. Robbins 《Planetary and Space Science》1964,12(12):1143-1146

A theory concerning the origin and composition of the Venusian clouds is presented. Hydrogen from the solar wind reacts with components of the upper atmosphere, principally CO and N₂. The initial reaction products are protected upon entering the dark hemisphere of Venus, and the long night (1400 hr) provides ample time for polymerization, condensation, and subsidence to lower levels of the atmosphere. A continuous source from above, coupled with regenerative processes from the hot regions below, fulfills the requirements for maintaining a perpetual cloud layer.  相似文献   

Methane abundance in the atmosphere of Uranus     

V.G. Teifel 《Icarus》1983,53(3):389-398

Modeling of the geometric albedo of Uranus in and near prominent methane absorption bands between 0.5 and 0.9 μm indicates that the visible atmosphere probably consists of a thin aerosol haze layer (τ_scat ? 0.3?0.5; ω_H ? 0.95) above an optically thick, semi-infinite Rayleigh scattering atmosphere. A significant depletion of methane gas above the haze layer is indicated. The mixing ratio of methane in the lower atmosphere is consistent with a value of CH₄/H₂ ? 3 × 10^?3, comparable to those derived for Jupiter and Saturn.  相似文献   

Venus phase function and forward scattering from H₂SO₄     

Anthony Mallama  Dennis Wang 《Icarus》2006,182(1):10-22

Ground-based and spacecraft photometry covering phase angles from 2° to 179° has been acquired in wavelength bands from blue to near infrared. An unexpected brightness surge is seen in the B and V bands when the disk of Venus is less than 2% illuminated. This excess luminosity appears to be the result of forward scattering from droplets of H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid) in the high atmosphere of Venus. The fully sunlit brightness of Venus, adjusted to a distance of one AU from the Sun and observer, was found to be V=−4.38, and the corresponding geometric albedo is 67%. The phase integral is 1.35 and the resulting spherical albedo is 90%. Comparison between our data and photometry obtained over the past 50 years indicates a bias in the older photoelectric results, however atmospheric abundance variations suggest that brightness changes may have occurred too.  相似文献   

Photometry of Venus below 2200 Å from the orbiting astronomical observatory-2     

Edward Shaya  John Caldwell 《Icarus》1976,27(2):255-264

Spectrophotometry of Venus from 2170 to about 1950 Å has been obtained by OAO-2 at 10 Å resolution. The new data confirm and extend previous indications that the geometric albedo decreases continuously below 2500 Å. Secular changes in either the amount or distribution, or both, of absorbing constituents in the upper atmosphere are strongly suggested. A narrow absorption feature is found near 2145 Å, confirming an earlier report by Anderson et al. [J. Atmos. Sci.26 (1969), 874–888]. Absorption by trace amounts of nitrogen-bearing molecules, including N₂O, HNO₃ in aqeous solution, and possibly also NO, together with Rayleigh scattering from CO₂, can account for the variation in albedo below 3200 Å, but other explanations are not excluded. For example, H₂S may contribute to or be responsible for the decrease in albedo below 2500 Å.  相似文献   

Venus: Mesospheric hazes of ice,dust, and acid aerosols     

R.P. Turco  O.B. Toon  R.C. Whitten  R.G. Keesee 《Icarus》1983,53(1):18-25

We speculate on the origin and physical properties of haze in the upper atmosphere of Venus. It is argued that at least four distinct types of particles may be present. The densest and lowest haze, normally seen by spacecraft, probably consists of a submicron sulfuric acid aerosol which extends above the cloud tops (at ～70 km) up to ～80 km; this haze represents an extension of the upper cloud deck. Measurements of the temperature structure between 70 and 120 km indicate that two independent water ice layers may occasionally appear. The lower one can form between 80 and 100 km and is probably the detached haze layer seen in high-contrast limb photography. This ice layer is likely to be nucleated on sulfuric acid aerosols, and is analogous to the nacreous (stratospheric) clouds on Earth. At the Venus “mesopause” near 120 km, temperatures are frequently cold enough to allow ice nucleation on meteoric dust or ambient ions. The resulting haze (which is analogous to noctilucent clouds on Earth) is expected to be extremely tenous, and optically invisible. On both Earth and Venus, meteoric dust is present throughout the upper atmosphere and probably has similar properties.  相似文献   

Planet-C: Venus Climate Orbiter mission of Japan     

《Planetary and Space Science》2007,55(12):1831-1842

The Venus Climate Orbiter mission (PLANET-C), one of the future planetary missions of Japan, aims at understanding the atmospheric circulation of Venus. Meteorological information will be obtained by globally mapping clouds and minor constituents successively with four cameras at ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, detecting lightning with a high-speed imager, and observing the vertical structure of the atmosphere with radio science technique. The equatorial elongated orbit with westward revolution fits the observation of the movement and temporal variation of the atmosphere which as a whole rotates westward. The systematic, continuous imaging observations will provide us with an unprecedented large data set of the Venusian atmospheric dynamics. Additional targets of the mission are the exploration of the ground surface and the observation of zodiacal light. The mission will complement the ESA's Venus Express, which also explores the Venusian environment with different approaches.  相似文献   

Life on Venus     

Charles S. Cockell   《Planetary and Space Science》1999,47(12):253-1501

A fundamental question in exobiology remains the degree to which habitats on Venus, past and present, were, or are suitable for life. This has relevance for assessing the exobiological potential of extrasolar Venus-like greenhouse planets. In this paper the parameters of the Venusian surface and atmosphere are considered and the biochemical adaptations required to survive them are explored in the light of new information on microbial adaptations to extreme environments. Neither the pressure (9.5 MPa) nor the high carbon dioxide concentrations (97%) represent a critical constraint to the evolution of life on the surface or in the atmosphere. The most significant constraints to life on the surface are the lack of liquid water and the temperature (464°C). In the lower and middle cloud layers of Venus, temperatures drop and water availability increases, generating a more biologically favorable environment. However, acidity and the problem of osmoregulation in hygroscopic sulfuric acid clouds become extreme and probably life-limiting. If it is assumed that these constraints can be overcome, considerations on the survival of acidophilic sulfate-reducing chemoautotrophs suspended as aerosols in such an environment show that Venus does come close to possessing a habitable niche. Conditions on the surface and in the atmosphere may have been greatly ameliorated on early Venus and may also be ameliorated on extrasolar planets with early Venus-like characteristics where temperatures are less extreme and liquid water is available.  相似文献   

Mariner 10 observations of hydrogen Lyman alpha emission from the venus exosphere: Evidence of complex structure     

P.Z. Takacs  A.L. Broadfoot  G.R. Smith  S. Kumar 《Planetary and Space Science》1980,28(7):687-701

The Ultraviolet Spectrometer Experiment on the MARINER 10 spacecraft measured the hydrogen Lyman α emmission resonantly scattered in the Venus exosphere at several viewing aspects during the encounter period. Venus encounter occurred at 17:01 GMT on 5 February 1974. Exospheric emissions above the planet's limb were measured and were analyzed with a spherically symmetric, single scattering, two-temperature model. On the sunlit hemisphere the emission profile was represented by an exospheric hydrogen atmosphere with T_c = 275±50 K and n_c = 1.5 × 10⁵ cm^?3 and a non-thermal contribution represented by T_H = 1250±100 K with n_H = 500±100 cm^?3. The observations of the dark limb showed that the spherically symmetric model used for the sunlit hemisphere was inappropriate for the analysis of the antisolar hemisphere. The density of the non-thermal component had increased at low altitudes, < 12,000 km, and decreased at high altitudes, > 20,000 km, by comparison. We conclude that the non-thermal source is on the sunward side of the planet. Analysis of the dark limb crossing suggests that the exospheric temperature on the dark side is <125 K if the exospheric density remains constant over the planet; upper limits are discussed. An additional source of Lyman α emission, 70 ± 15 R, was detected on the dark side of the planet and is believed to be a planetary albedo in contrast to multiple scattering from the sunlit side. Our analysis of the MARINER 10 data is consistent when applied to the MARINER 5 data.  相似文献   

A layer of ozone detected in the nightside upper atmosphere of Venus     

F. Montmessin  J.-L. Bertaux  F. Lefèvre  E. Marcq  D. Belyaev  J.-C. Gérard  O. Korablev  A. Fedorova  V. Sarago  A.C. Vandaele 《Icarus》2011,216(1):82-85

To date, ozone has only been identified in the atmospheres of Earth and Mars. This study reports the first detection of ozone in the atmosphere of Venus by the SPICAV ultraviolet instrument onboard the Venus Express spacecraft. Venusian ozone is characterized by a vertically confined and horizontally variable layer residing in the thermosphere at a mean altitude of 100 km, with local concentrations of the order of 10⁷–10⁸ molecules cm⁻³. The observed ozone concentrations are consistent with values expected for a chlorine-catalyzed destruction scheme, indicating that the key chemical reactions operating in Earth’s upper stratosphere may also operate on Venus.  相似文献   

Water and related chemistry in the solar system. A guaranteed time key programme for Herschel     

P. Hartogh  E. Lellouch  M. Banaszkiewicz  E.A. Bergin  N. Biver  M.I. Blecka  D. Bockelée-Morvan  J. Cernicharo  G. Davis  P. Encrenaz  A. González  T. de Graauw  D. Hutsemékers  E. Jehin  M. Kidger  A. de Lange  D.C. Lis  J. Manfroid  R. Moreno  G. Orton  M. Rengel  M. Sánchez-Portal  S. Sidher  B. Swinyard  N. Thomas  B. Vandenbussche  C. Waelkens 《Planetary and Space Science》2009,57(13):1596-1606

“Water and related chemistry in the Solar System” is a Herschel Space Observatory Guaranteed-Time Key Programme. This project, approved by the European Space Agency, aims at determining the distribution, the evolution and the origin of water in Mars, the outer planets, Titan, Enceladus and the comets. It addresses the broad topic of water and its isotopologues in planetary and cometary atmospheres. The nature of cometary activity and the thermodynamics of cometary comae will be investigated by studying water excitation in a sample of comets. The D/H ratio, the key parameter for constraining the origin and evolution of Solar System species, will be measured for the first time in a Jupiter-family comet. A comparison with existing and new measurements of D/H in Oort-cloud comets will constrain the composition of pre-solar cometary grains and possibly the dynamics of the protosolar nebula. New measurements of D/H in giant planets, similarly constraining the composition of proto-planetary ices, will be obtained. The D/H and other isotopic ratios, diagnostic of Mars’ atmosphere evolution, will be accurately measured in H₂O and CO. The role of water vapor in Mars’ atmospheric chemistry will be studied by monitoring vertical profiles of H₂O and HDO and by searching for several other species (and CO and H₂O isotopes). A detailed study of the source of water in the upper atmosphere of the Giant Planets and Titan will be performed. By monitoring the water abundance, vertical profile, and input fluxes in the various objects, and when possible with the help of mapping observations, we will discriminate between the possible sources of water in the outer planets (interplanetary dust particles, cometary impacts, and local sources). In addition to these inter-connected objectives, serendipitous searches will enhance our knowledge of the composition of planetary and cometary atmospheres.  相似文献   

Comparison of Venusian lightning observations     

William J. Borucki 《Icarus》1982,52(2):354-364

  相似文献   

Evidence for a low-altitude origin of lightning on Venus     

Thomas A. Croft  Gary H. Price 《Icarus》1983,53(3):548-551

Radio emissions attributed to lightning on Venus have been recorded by Venera 11 and 12 and by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. The Venera descent records are compared to patterns of radio propagation within the Venusian atmosphere and an explanation is found for some timing trends that, if correct, indicates the lightning was below 33 km in altitude.  相似文献