Atomic carbon in the atmosphere of Venus

The densities of atomic carbon in the Venusian thermosphere are computed for a model which includes both chemistry and transport. The maximum density of C is 2.8 x 10 to the 7th per cu cm near 150 km for an assumed O2 mixing ratio of 0.0001. Photoionization of atomic carbon is found to be the major source of C(+) above 200 km, and resonance scattering of sunlight by atomic carbon may be the major source of the C I emissions at 1561 A, 1657 A, and 1931 A. The computed C(+) densities are found to be in substantial agreement with those measured by Pioneer Venus.