Venus atmospheric cloud opacity, particle size and cloud top temperature mapped in the nightside with VIRTIS Venus Express
Abstract
We present global maps of Venus nightside atmosphere seen in the infrared by VIRTIS/Venus Express between 2006-2008. We first provide a global view of the nightside cloud opacity in the lower clouds (44-48 km altitude) mapping integrated radiance around 1.74 µm and 2.25 µm. The ratio between these bands provides an indirect estimation of the particle size distribution for the whole planet. We have then produced maps of brightness temperature at the cloud tops (60-70 km altitude), measured at 3.8 and 5.0 µm. The latitudinal and local time profiles show the different atmospheric regions and provide details of the global circulation dynamics with high symmetry in both hemispheres.
- Publication:
-
XIV.0 Scientific Meeting (virtual) of the Spanish Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- July 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020sea..confE..93C