Sulfur dioxide above Venus' clouds: sounding by orbital solar occultations in UV and IR ranges

Computer Science – Sound

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of key components in Venus' atmosphere. This gas participates in active photochemical life around Venus' clouds that consist of H2SO4 droplets and completely enshroud the planet. Behavior of SO2 within and above the clouds may be significant indicator of their dynamics and possible geological activity on the planet's surface. SO2 on Venus has been being explored for 40 years with mainly nadir observations. Nowadays the SPICAV/SOIR instrument onboard Venus Express orbiter is measuring content of sulfur dioxide either by nadir or by occultation soundings that provides a global SO2 monitoring above Venus' clouds. Here we present results from joint solar occultation experiment by SPICAV spectrometer in UV and SOIR spectrometer in IR. The first one gives vertical distribution of sulfur dioxide in absorption band 215 nm at altitudes 85-110 km, the second one sounds SO2 in a band around 4 μm at altitudes 65-75 km. Our equipment is not sensitive to the gas detection in-between 75-85 km because of its photochemical and absorption features in UV and IR. At Venus' clouds top (65-75 km) SO2 mixing ratio varies from 0.05 to 1 ppm depending on latitude and local time (morning or evening). Such variability is confirmed by nadir observations performed by the SPICAV in UV range [Marcq et al., 2010]. From UV occultation data the mixing ratio is also unstable: from 0.1 to 1 ppm at 85-110 km.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Sulfur dioxide above Venus' clouds: sounding by orbital solar occultations in UV and IR ranges does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Sulfur dioxide above Venus' clouds: sounding by orbital solar occultations in UV and IR ranges, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sulfur dioxide above Venus' clouds: sounding by orbital solar occultations in UV and IR ranges will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-917594

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.