Composition and structure of the Venus atmosphere - Results from Pioneer Venus

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Atmospheric Composition, Pioneer Venus Spacecraft, Venus Atmosphere, Venus Probes, Argon Isotopes, Atmospheric Temperature, Chemical Reactions, Gas Chromatography, Lower Atmosphere, Mass Spectroscopy, Optical Scanners, Rare Gases, Composition, Structure, Rare Gases, Venus, Atmosphere, Neon, Carbon Dioxide, Pioneer Venus, Sulfur Dioxide, Mass Spectrometers, Isotopic Ratios, Carbon, Oxygen, Earth, Mixing, Nitrogen, Carbon Monoxide, Argon

Scientific paper

The composition of the Venusian atmosphere was studied using a mass spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus sounder probe. The single-focusing magnetic-sector spectrometer scanned the mass range from hydrogen through mercury with a dynamic range of six decades. Data taken by the mass spectrometer were compared with those of a gas chromatograph, resulting in slight discrepancies due to the use of a sputter ion pump acting as a sink for entry of rare gases through the inlet leak. A surprisingly large concentration of primordial Ar-36 and Ar-38 was discovered in a ratio of 5 to 1. It was concluded that the large excess of primordial argon was a valid result and that the mixing of HCl in the lower Venusian atmosphere was less than a few parts per million. Arguments against the sun as the source for excess primordial gases on Venus were presented. Concentrations of other elements such as Ne, Kr, He, S, and O were discussed. Although the mass peaks in the spectrum were real, it was not clear whether all of the chemical reactions (i.e., COS production) actually occurred in the atmosphere. Until further analysis can be made, it will be uncertain how the inlet system, which is at atmospheric temperature, affected the results.

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