Premium
Interferometric Investigations of The Atmosphere of Venus
Author(s) -
Muhleman Duane O.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs005i002p00355
Subject(s) - venus , atmosphere of venus , opacity , atmosphere (unit) , interferometry , brightness , astrobiology , brightness temperature , atmospheric models , physics , atmospheric sciences , wavelength , atmospheric temperature , environmental science , optics , meteorology
The determination of the opacity law as a function of wavelength for the Venus atmosphere is discussed. Interferometric and integrated brightness temperature observations are compared to model calculations for atmospheres of CO 2 , N 2 , and H 2 O which are consistent with the radar opacity law. If the atmosphere of Venus is essentially pure CO 2 , a surface pressure of 78 atm with a surface temperature of 725°K is obtained. The total CO 2 in the atmosphere of Venus is estimated to be 4×10 23 grams, which is in fair agreement with the amount of CO 2 that has escaped from the interior of the earth since its formation.