Nightglow investigation in the Visible Range with the VIRTIS/Venus-Express instrument

In this study we report the investigation of the nightglow molecular oxygen emissions of Venus in the visible spectral range, observed by the VIRTIS instrument (Visible and InfraRed Spectral Imaging Spectrometer) on board the Venus Express spacecraft. The Herzberg II system was detected in the range 0.4-0.7 μm. The observed bands peak at 95-96 km altitude, with a limb mode intensity of 15-20 kR for the strongest band, similar to that seen in previous observations. Simultaneous observations in the visible and IR [O2 (a-X) 1.27 μm band] were obtained in March 2007, and the two systems are similar in peak altitude. In addition, three bands of the O2 Chamberlain system, at 0.558, 0.604, and 0.657 μm were detected. They are well detached from the Herzberg II bands, and more distinct than reported in previous observations (Garcia Munoz et al., 2009). A simulated spectrum is obtained using the DIATOM code, allowing accurate reproduction of the observed VIRTIS mean spectrum. The authors thank ESA, ASI, CNES and all the national space agencies to support this research.