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Search for spatial variations of the H2O abundance in the lower atmosphere of Venus from NIMS-GalileoThe spectroscopic data of the Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS), recorded during the Galileo flyby of Venus, are analysed to retrieve the water vapor abundance variations in the lower atmosphere of Venus at night. The 1.18 micrometer spectral window, which probes altitude levels below 20 km, is used for this purpose. Constraints on the CO2 continuum and far-wing opacity from existing ground-based high-resolution observations are included in the modelling of the NIMS spectra. The NIMS measurements can be fitted with a water vapor mixing ratio of 30 +/- 15 ppm, in agreement with analyses of ground-based nightside observations. The water vapor abundance shows no horizontal variations exceeding 20% over a wide latitude range (40 deg S, 50 deg N) on the nightside of Venus. Within the same selection of NIMS spectra, a large enhancement in the O2 fluorescence emission at 1.27 micrometer is observed at a latitude of 40 deg S, over a spatial area about 100 km wide.
Document ID
19950043561
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Drossart, P.
(DESPA Meudon, France)
Bezard, B.
(DESPA Meudon, France)
Encrenaz, TH.
(DESPA Meudon, France)
Lellouch, E.
(DESPA Meudon, France)
Roos, M.
(DESPA Meudon, France)
Taylor, F. W.
(Oxford University Oxford, United Kingdom)
Collard, A. D.
(Oxford University Oxford, United Kingdom)
Calcutt, S. B.
(Oxford University Oxford, United Kingdom)
Pollack, J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Grinspoon, D. H.
(University of Colorado, Boulder, CO United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 41
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0032-0633
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
95A75160
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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