Abstract
The meridional circulation can have a large influence on the cloud formation on Venus. In our model, the observed depression of near-infrared optical thickness at mid-latitude is reproduced as a result of the enhancement of cloud thickness at low and high latitudes. At high latitudes, the poleward transport of H 2 SO 4 -H 2 O droplets in the upper atmosphere makes a thick cloud, since most of the H 2 SO 4 -H 2 O droplets photochemically produced are transported poleward by the meridional circulation. At low latitudes, the large-scale ascent of the concentrated H 2 SO 4 vapor forms a dense lower cloud in accord with observations by entry probes. The equatorward transport of H 2 SO 4 vapor below the cloud by the meridional circulation and the sedimentation of droplets in the lower cloud leads to the accumulation of H 2 SO 4 vapor around the cloud base at low latitudes. The H 2 SO 4 vapor distribution agrees with the radio occultation observations. The middle cloud can be caused by the condensation of H 2 SO 4 vapor carried aloft by convective mixing.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1569-1572 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Advances in Space Research |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 1 1999 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aerospace Engineering
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Geophysics
- Atmospheric Science
- Space and Planetary Science
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)