In situ observations of waves in Venus’s polar lower thermosphere with Venus Express aerobraking
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Müller-Wodarg, ICF
Bruinsma, S
Marty, J-C
Svedhem, H
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Waves are ubiquitous phenomena found in oceans and atmospheres alike. From the earliest formal studies of waves in the Earth’s atmosphere to more recent studies on other planets, waves have been shown to play a key role in shaping atmospheric bulk structure, dynamics and variability1, 2, 3, 4. Yet, waves are difficult to characterize as they ideally require in situ measurements of atmospheric properties that are difficult to obtain away from Earth. Thus, we have incomplete knowledge of atmospheric waves on planets other than our own, and we are thereby limited in our ability to understand and predict planetary atmospheres. Here we report the first ever in situ observations of atmospheric waves in Venus’s thermosphere (130–140 km) at high latitudes (71.5°–79.0°). These measurements were made by the Venus Express Atmospheric Drag Experiment (VExADE)5 during aerobraking from 24 June to 11 July 2014. As the spacecraft flew through Venus’s atmosphere, deceleration by atmospheric drag was sufficient to obtain from accelerometer readings a total of 18 vertical density profiles. We infer an average temperature of T = 114 ± 23 K and find horizontal wave-like density perturbations and mean temperatures being modulated at a quasi-5-day period.
Date Issued
2016-04-11
Date Acceptance
2016-03-01
Citation
Nature Physics, 2016, 12, pp.767-771
ISSN
1745-2481
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Start Page
767
End Page
771
Journal / Book Title
Nature Physics
Volume
12
Copyright Statement
© 2016 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
INFERIOR CONJUNCTION
WINDS
Fluids & Plasmas
01 Mathematical Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
Publication Status
Published