A model of the Venus atmosphere from radio, radar, and occultation observations.
Abstract
A model is presented of the atmosphere and surface of Venus which best fits in the least-squares sense the available radio-brightness, radar cross-section, radio interferometric, and Mariner 5 and 10 radio occultation observations. The determinations of the radius of the planet obtained by others from radar time-delay measurements are included in the data set. The values of the adjusted parameters are: molar fraction of CO2 = 95 plus or minus 3%; fraction of combined nitrogen and argon = 5 plus or minus 3%; total atmospheric opacity at a wavelength of 1 cm = 19.4 plus or minus 1.3; mean radius of the surface = 6050.7 plus or minus 0.8 km; mean dielectric constant of the surface = 4.1 plus or minus 0.2, and percentage of total opacity due to chemical species other than CO2 = 45 plus or minus 12. The model temperature and pressure at the mean surface are 755 K and 91.4 atm, respectively.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1086/157550
- Bibcode:
- 1979ApJ...234..733M
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Models;
- Occultation;
- Radar Astronomy;
- Radio Astronomy;
- Venus Atmosphere;
- Carbon Dioxide;
- Graphs (Charts);
- Mariner Spacecraft;
- Radar Measurement;
- Radio Interferometers;
- Tables (Data);
- VENUS;
- ATMOSPHERE;
- OCCULTATIONS;
- OBSERVATIONS;
- MODELS;
- RADAR;
- PARAMETERS;
- BRIGHTNESS TEMPERATURE;
- RADAR ECHOS;
- MATHEMATICAL MODELS;
- SPECTRUM;
- RADIUS;
- WAVELENGTHS;
- MICROWAVES;
- PRESSURE;
- TEMPERATURES;
- INTERFEROMETRY;
- OPACITY;
- DATA;
- DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES;
- ABSORPTION;
- RADIO ASTRONOMY;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Venus;
- Diameter:Venus;
- Venus Atmosphere:Models;
- Venus Surface:Models