Oxides of nitrogen and the clouds of Venus

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL006i009p00743· OSTI ID:5939303

Watson, A J; Donahue, T M; Stedman, D H; Knollenberg, R G; Ragent, B; Blamont, J

Nitric Oxide may be produced in the atmosphere of Venus by lightning storms in the clouds. Here we suggest that the odd nitrogen thus formed may play an important part in the chemistry of the clouds. Specifically, we estimate production rates for NO/sub 2/ in the limiting case of high NO concentrations. If the NO density is high we suggest that NO/sub 2/ may catalyse the production of sulfuric acid aerosol from sulfur dioxide and water vapor, and may also form nitrogen--sulfur compounds such as nitrosyl sulfuric acid, NOHSO/sub 4/. The ''large particles'' seen by the Pioneer Venus sounder probe may contain considerable quantities of NOHSO/sub 4/. If this is the case odd nitrogen must be present in the atmosphere in at least a parts-per-million mixing ratio.

• Research Organization: Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
• OSTI ID: 5939303
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 6:9; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AEROSOLS
ATMOSPHERES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LIGHTNING
NITRIC OXIDE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
QUANTITY RATIO
SOLS
SULFURIC ACID
VAPORS
VENUS PLANET
WATER VAPOR