Constraints on the composition of the Venus atmosphere from microwave measurements near 1. 35 cm wavelength

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(81)90075-0· OSTI ID:5671762

Janssen, M A; Klein, M J

The determination of the brightness temperature of Venus near 1.35 cm wavelength is reviewed. The observed brightness temperature is compared with models for the microwave emission based on the physical and chemical structure of the atmosphere as obtained from spacecraft. Upper limits are set on the concentrations of microwave-absorbing minor constituents. In particular, upper limits are determined for SO2 (180 ppm) and H2O (0.3%) for a mixing-ratio profile that is uniformly mixed up to the cloud bottom at 50 km and is rapidly depleted (scale height, approximately 1 km) at higher altitudes. The total optical depth of the cloud region at or above 50 km is less than 0.17 at 1.35 cm wavelength. The SO2 upper limit is only in marginal agreement with the spacecraft results, and it may be that the latter have been overestimated, or that the distribution of SO2 is more complex than given by the uniform mixing model.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
• OSTI ID: 5671762
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 46; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTIVITY
ATMOSPHERES
ATTENUATION
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MICROWAVE RADIATION
MICROWAVE SPECTRA
MOISTURE
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
VENUS PLANET