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The clouds of Venus. II - An investigation of the influence of coagulation on the observed droplet size distributionAn approximate numerical technique is used to investigate the influence of coagulation, sedimentation and turbulent motions on the observed droplet size distribution in the upper layers of the Venus clouds. If the cloud mass mixing ratio is less than 0.000001 at 250 K or the eddy diffusivity throughout the cloud is greater than 1,000,000 sq cm per sec, then coagulation is unimportant. In this case, the observed droplet size distribution is the initial size distribution produced by the condensation of the droplets. It is found that all cloud models with droplet formation near the cloud top (e.g., a photochemical model) must produce the observed droplet size distribution by condensation without subsequent modification by coagulation. However, neither meteoritic or surface dust can supply sufficient nucleating particles to account for the observed droplet number density. If the cloud droplets are formed near the cloud bottom, the observed droplet size distribution can be produced solely by the interaction of coagulation and dynamics; all information about the initial size distribution is lost. If droplet formation occurs near the cloud bottom, the lower atmosphere of Venus is oxidizing rather than reducing.
Document ID
19770043512
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Rossow, W. B.
(Princeton University Princeton, N.J., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Volume: 34
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
77A26364
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-33-010-186
CONTRACT_GRANT: NOAA-04-3-022-33
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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