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Global circulation and distribution of hydrogen in thermosphere of Venus
Author(s) -
Hartle R. E.,
Mayr H. G.,
Bauer S. J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl005i008p00719
Subject(s) - thermosphere , venus , atmospheric sciences , exosphere , atmosphere (unit) , flux (metallurgy) , diffusion , atmosphere of venus , physics , circulation (fluid dynamics) , atmospheric models , turbulence , environmental science , atmospheric circulation , eddy diffusion , zonal flow (plasma) , meteorology , mechanics , ionosphere , plasma , geophysics , astrobiology , chemistry , thermodynamics , ion , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , tokamak
The global density distribution of atomic H in the upper atmosphere of Venus is determined in terms of a global circulation model. It is shown that H produced on the dayside is efficiently advected to the nightside by the major gas CO 2 where it is then convected to lower altitudes and recombines. A maximum night/day H density ratio of about 5 is derived, in which case exospheric return flow from night to day strongly limits the nightside density enhancement. A previously postulated constraint connecting the eddy diffusion coefficient with the escape flux of H in one dimensional models is no longer required when global circulation of H is considered.