A TEPHIGRAM FOR VENUS

A tephigram, i.e., a plot of the temperature of a volume of air relative to the logarithm of the potential temperature, is developed for the Venus atmosphere based on the first law of thermodynamics and Pioneer Venus sounder data on the atmospheric composition. A CO2 atmosphere is assumed, and the t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Weather 1984-11, Vol.39 (11), p.339-343
Main Authors: McCue, J., Gadian, A. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A tephigram, i.e., a plot of the temperature of a volume of air relative to the logarithm of the potential temperature, is developed for the Venus atmosphere based on the first law of thermodynamics and Pioneer Venus sounder data on the atmospheric composition. A CO2 atmosphere is assumed, and the tephigram indicates that the H2SO4 mixing ratio is 10 g/kg at 40 km altitude in the form of droplets and decreases to 1 g/kg at 50 km. A lower than oberved cloud top is predicted by the tephigram, which also suggests a water mixing ratio of 5 g/kg at 60 km. The possibility of CO2 freezing is ruled out. Finally, the convective layer is thought to be confined to 35-55 km altitude.
ISSN:0043-1656
1477-8696
DOI:10.1002/j.1477-8696.1984.tb06735.x