Publication Date:
2013-08-31
Description:
Ground-based near-infrared observations of the Venus night side reveal anomalous bright features at wavelengths near 1.7 and 2.3 micrometer (Allen and Crawford, 1984; Allen, 1987). These features are thought to be formed as thermal radiation from the hot lower atmosphere leaks through holes in the middle and/or lower sulfuric acid cloud decks. Because these holes allow radiation to escape from deep in the troposphere, they provide an opportunity to significantly improve our understanding of the composition, thermal structure, and dynamics of this region of the Venus atmosphere. New near-infrared observations of the Venus night side are needed to address these questions. During the first year of this program, researchers requested and received observing time at six sites and organized a highly-skilled team. The wide array of sites should allow researchers to collect the data needed to meet all of the proposed objectives. High resolution spectra of the Venus night side was obtained. Researchers are currently collecting the first images of Venus from Kitt Peak and Table Mountain. The state-of-the-art infrared array detectors that are being used at these sites are allowing researchers to collect hundreds of high-quality images during each observing day. These images show the expected bright features, but they have not yet begun to track these features.
Keywords:
ASTRONOMY
Type:
NASA, Washington, Reports of Planetary Astronomy,; p 33
Format:
application/pdf
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