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Venus lower atmospheric composition - Analysis by gas chromatographyThe first gas chromatographic analysis of the lower atmosphere of Venus is reported. Three atmospheric samples were analyzed. The third of these samples showed carbon dioxide (96.4 percent), molecular nitrogen (3.41 percent), water vapor (0.135 percent), molecular oxygen (69.3 ppm), argon (18.6 ppm), neon (4.31 ppm), and sulfur dioxide (186 ppm). The amounts of water vapor and sulfur dioxide detected are roughly compatible with the requirements of greenhouse models of the high surface temperature of Venus. The large positive gradient of sulfur dioxide, molecular oxygen, and water vapor from the cloud tops to their bottoms, as implied by Earth-based observations and these results, gives added support for the presence of major quantities of aqueous sulfuric acid in the clouds. A comparison of the inventory of inert gases found in the atmospheres of Venus, Earth, and Mars suggests that these components are due to outgassing from the planetary interiors.
Document ID
19790040162
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Oyama, V. I.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Carle, G. C.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Woeller, F.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pollack, J. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
February 23, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 203
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
79A24175
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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