Venera 11 and 12 mass spectrometry of the lower Venus atmosphere
Abstract
Atmospheric composition measurements were made with the Venera 11 and Venera 12 descent-probe mass spectrometers in December 1978. The Venus atmosphere contains abundant nitrogen (about 4.5% by volume). Argon isotopes (36, 38, 40 amu mass peaks), neon (20 amu), and krypton (84 amu) also occur. The argon isotopes have a total abundance of approximately 150 ppm; the Ne-20, about 10 ppm; and the Kr-84, approximately 0.5 ppm. The Ar isotopic composition is highly anomalous compared with the terrestrial atmosphere; radiogenic Ar-40 is as abundant as the 'primary' Ar-36 and Ar-38 isotopes combined.
- Publication:
-
Pisma v Astronomicheskii Zhurnal
- Pub Date:
- June 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979PAZh....5..211I
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Composition;
- Lower Atmosphere;
- Mass Spectroscopy;
- Venera Satellites;
- Venus Atmosphere;
- Abundance;
- Argon Isotopes;
- Krypton;
- Neon;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration