Aeronomy of the Venus Upper Atmosphere

Journal
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Gérard, J. -C.
•
Bougher, S. W.
•
López-Valverde, M. A.
•
Pätzold, M.
•
Drossart, P.
•
DOI
Abstract
We present aeronomical observations collected using remote sensing instruments on board Venus Express, complemented with ground-based observations and numerical modeling. They are mostly based on VIRTIS and SPICAV measurements of airglow obtained in the nadir mode and at the limb above 90 km. They complement our understanding of the behavior of Venus' upper atmosphere that was largely based on Pioneer Venus observations mostly performed over thirty years earlier. Following a summary of recent spectral data from the EUV to the infrared, we examine how these observations have improved our knowledge of the composition, thermal structure, dynamics and transport of the Venus upper atmosphere. We then synthesize progress in three-dimensional modeling of the upper atmosphere which is largely based on global mapping and observations of time variations of the nitric oxide and O2 nightglow emissions. Processes controlling the escape flux of atoms to space are described. Results based on the VeRA radio propagation experiment are summarized and compared to ionospheric measurements collected during earlier space missions. Finally, we point out some unsolved and open questions generated by these recent datasets and model comparisons.
Volume
212
Issue
3-4
Start page
1617
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0038-6308
Ads BibCode
2017SSRv..212.1617G
Rights
open.access
File(s)
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name

Gérard2017_Article_AeronomyOfTheVenusUpperAtmosph.pdf

Description
[Administrators only]
Size

6.79 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

48be675b870aaeb903b0ca924da54a4a

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name

Venus_aeronomy -rev1.pdf

Description
preprint
Size

10.73 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

a449821af1cff8f8deac4e0b1e85304c