Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Oct 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dps....42.1501s&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #42, #15.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.974
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Since arriving at Venus in April 2006 Venus Express has provided a wealth of information on a large variety of topics on the atmosphere, surface and plasma environment of the planet. The atmosphere in the southern hemisphere has been studied in detail by three instruments dedicated to atmospheric investigations, from the near IR to the UV and additional information has been derived from radio science measurements. The structure and composition of the atmosphere has been mapped in three dimensions from 40 km to 140 km altitude. Significant temporal and spatial variations have been found, both in composition, density and temperature. Imaging in the UV has revealed strong latitudinal variations and significant temporal changes in the global cloud top morphology as well as identification of various types of waves in the cloud layer. The cloud top altitude varies from about 72 km in the low and middle latitudes to about 64 km in the polar region, marking vast polar depressions, likely a result of the Hadley-type meridional circulation. A large amount of data on the atmospheric circulation has been collected and results include maps of wind speeds at different altitudes and movies of the dynamics of the southern polar vortex.
A surface temperature map and an emissivity map of the full southern hemisphere have been constructed from IR images in the spectral windows. By correlating these results and the Magellan radar images and gravity data, regions of young unweathered surfaces likely due to recent volcanism have been identified.
The induced magnetosphere with its boundaries and the escape of planetary matter have been characterized by a magnetometer and an energetic particle instrument, and escape rates of hydrogen, oxygen and helium have been determined.A decision to extend the mission until end 2014 is expected at the end of this year.
Svedhem Håkan
Taylor Fred
Titov Dimitry
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