Estimates of Venusian Atmospheric Torque

An estimate is derived of the solar gravitational torque on the thermal atmospheric tide of Venus. The value obtained is compared with the computed torque on the body of the planet itself caused by viscous coupling between it and the superrotating atmosphere. The comparison suggests that the solar thermal torque and the viscous torque are effective in the maintenance of the four-day superrotation of the Venusian atmosphere.