Three-dimensional structure of thermal waves in Venus’ mesosphere from ground-based observations

Journal article

High spectral resolution observations of Venus were obtained with the TEXES instrument at NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility. These observations focus on a CO2 absorption feature at 791.4 cm-1 as the shape of this absorption feature can be used to retrieve the vertical temperature profile in Venus’ mesosphere. By scan-mapping the planet, we are able to build up three-dimensional temperature maps of Venus’ atmosphere, covering one Earth-facing hemisphere and an altitude range of 60–83 km. A temperature map from February 12, 2019 clearly shows the three-dimensional structure of a planetary-scale thermal wave. This wave pattern appears strongest in the mid-latitudes of Venus, has a zonal wavenumber of 2–4 and the wave fronts tilt eastward with altitude at an angle of 8–15 degrees per km. This is consistent with a thermal tide propagating upwards from Venus’ upper cloud decks. Ground-based observations provide the opportunity to study Venus’ temperature structure on an ongoing basis.

Authors: Giles, RS; Greathouse, TK; Irwin, PG; Encrenaz, T; Brecht, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Icarus
• Volume: 387
• Article number: 115187
• Publication date: 2022-07-16
• Acceptance date: 2022-07-12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115187
• ISSN: 0019-1035
• Language: English
• Keywords: FFR