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At least 1,045 records · Page 58

Probing the Venus atmosphere

Venus atmosphere exploration by multiple entry probe, describing spacecraft system design, launch and earth-Venus transfer trajectory, approach and entry sequence, etc

Ainsworth, J. E.↗

Ion clusters and the Venus ultraviolet haze layer

The daytime ionosphere of Venus is observed between 100 and 500 km altitude with a peak electron concentration of 100,000/cc at 140 km. It is suggested that at altitudes less than 130 km the ion CO2(+)-CO2 is an important ionic constituent of the Venus ionosphere. Below 100 km ion clustering processes combine with the low temperature at the mesopause to form coagulates, giving rise to the ultraviolet haze layer observed. An atmospheric model is presented.

Aikin, A. C.↗

Mariner Venus-Mercury 1973 midcourse velocity requirements and delivery accuracy

The primary mission is described, which consists of encounters with Venus and Mercury; (a second encounter with Mercury is also possible). The exptected navigation sequences were simulated with a Monte Carlo computer program for the purpose of determining midcourse correction velocity requirements and delivery accuracies. These simulations provide sensitivity in velocity requirements and delivery accuracies to error sources affecting the navigation process. The orbit determination capability at the final pre-Venus maneuver is shown to be the dominant contributor to the velocity requirements for the primary mission. Similarly, the orbit determination capability at the final pre-Mercury maneuver is shown to be the dominant contributor to the delivery accuracy at Mercury.

Mckinley, E. L.↗

Infrared Absorption of Carbon Dioxide at High Densities With Application to the Atmosphere of Venus

Several new infrared absorptions were found in carbon dioxide. All are normally forbidden, and were collision-induced in an absorbing cell whose combination of pressure and path length has a unique sensitivity for induced absorptions. The new absorptions in the 2.3 micron region are attributed to transitions from ground to the 3(1)1 Fermi pair at 4248 and 4391/cm. Other absorptions are attributed to simultaneous CO2-N2 transitions and to the 00(0)0-00(0)2 transition in CO2 polarizability derivatives and regular progressions in strength versus increasing quantum number. The spectra were used to predict the radiative transfer in a dry CO2 model of the lower Venus atmosphere. The results indicate that the radiation balance in the lower atmosphere is adequately explained by a dry massive atmosphere of CO2 with a layer of infrared-opaque clouds. The absorptions in the 2.3 micron region are significant in accounting for the opacity to sustain Venus' 768 K surface temperature.

John Fitzallen Moore↗

Observations of Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn longward of 2000 A

A number of high quality spectra of Mars, Jupiter, the combined disk and rings of Saturn, as well as lower quality spectra of Venus, have been obtained with an objective grating spectrometer of the Wisconsin experiment package on OAO-2. An intercomparison of the Mars, Jupiter and Saturn spectra has failed to disclose any discrete planetary absorptions. Continuous albedos have been derived for the four planets by using OAO-2 observations of G-type stars for wavelengths greater than 2700 A and a new photoelectric solar spectrum for wavelengths smaller than 2700 A. The geometric albedo of Mars shows a steady increase below 3500 A which appears to be due to Rayleigh scattering combined with a decreasing surface reflectivity. The albedos of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn show a maximum in reflectivity in the region of 2500 A.

Wallace, L.↗

Solar wind maintenance of the nighttime Venus ionosphere

An attempt is made to establish an ionization source capable of maintaining the nighttime Venus ionosphere. The corpuscular ionization and heating caused by the penetration of solar wind plasma into the nightside ionosphere was suggested as a possible source. Theoretical tests, using an interacting solar wind model, were made of the electron density and the results compared with observed electron density profiles. Results indicate the solar wind could maintain the nighttime ionosphere of Venus.

Hartle, R. E.↗

Ion clusters and the Venus ultraviolet haze layer

The daytime ionosphere of Venus is observed between 100 and 500 km altitude. Below 200 km, CO2(+) is thought to be the principal ion unless oxygen is present. It was suggested that at altitudes less than 130 km the ion CO2(+)-CO2 is an important ionic constituent of the Venus ionosphere. Below 100 km, ion clustering processes combine with the low temperature at the mesopause to form coagulates giving rise to the ultraviolet haze layer which is frequently observed.

Aikin, A. C.↗

Imaging of Mercury and Venus from a flyby.

Study of an imaging experiment planned for the 1973 Mariner Venus/Mercury flyby mission. Scientific objectives are presented together with mission constraints, analysis of alternative systems, and the rationale for the final choice. The final selection was a vidicon camera quite similar to that used for Mariner Mars 1971, but with the capability of real time transmission during the Venus and Mercury flybys. Systematic high resolution UV photography of Venus is planned after encounter in an attempt to understand the nature of the mysterious UV markings and their apparent 4- to 5-day rotation period.

Murray, B. C.↗

Composition of the Venus cloud tops in light of recent spectroscopic data.

The observed chemical composition of the atmosphere near the Venus cloud tops, the refractive index of cloud particles as deduced from polarization data, and the 3-4-micron reflectivity of the clouds are discussed. The data are shown to be consistent with and to strongly support the possibility that the topmost clouds of Venus are composed of concentrated aqueous HCl solutions.

Lewis, J. S.↗

Ion clusters and the Venus ultraviolet haze layer.

The daytime ionosphere of Venus is observed between 100 and 500 km altitude. Below 100 km ion clustering processes combine with the low temperature at the mesopause to form coagulates, giving rise to the UV haze layer which has frequently been observed. Ion ratios involving carbon dioxide are considered, taking into consideration also the possibility of a presence of nitrogen and oxygen in the Venus atmosphere.

Aikin, A. C.↗

Observing Venus near the sun.

Discussion of the special requirements posed by telescopic observing near the sun. The sky brightness in the image plane must be kept to a minimum. Sunlight scattered from dust in the atmosphere or on the optical surfaces is the main difficulty, particularly at red and infrared wavelengths where Rayleigh scattering by air molecules is weak. Atmospheric dust is less troublesome at high altitudes and in dry climates than at low, humid sites. Excellent seeing is required, especially to get the thin crescent of Venus at inferior conjunction into the narrow slit of a spectrograph. The spectroscopic phase effect of Venus is discussed, and the procedures used to carry out observations near the sun are described in detail.

Young, A. T.↗

Ultraviolet photometry from the orbiting astronomical observatory. III - Observations of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn longward of 2000 A.

A number of high-quality spectra of Mars, Jupiter, the combined disk and rings of Saturn, as well as lower-quality spectra of Venus, have been obtained with an objective-grating spectrometer of the Wisconsin Experiment Package of OAO-2. An intercomparison of the Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn spectra has failed to disclose any discrete planetary absorptions. Continuous albedos have been derived for the four planets by using OAO-2 observations of G-type stars for wavelengths greater than 2700 A. The geometric albedo of Mars shows a steady increase below 3500 A which appears to be due to Rayleigh scattering combined with a decreasing surface reflectivity. The albedos of Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn show a maximum in reflectivity in the region of 2500 A.-

Wallace, L.↗