A WATER-CLOUD INTERPRETATION OF VENUS' MICROWAVE CONTINUUM,
Abstract
The most recent microwave brightness determinations of Venus are analyzed in the light of new theoretical results concerning the equivalent scattering and absorption properties of typical terrestrial clouds and precipitation. Based on the argument that the analysis of existing data does not conclusively demonstrate the absence of large amounts of water in the lower Venusian atmosphere, it is shown that a 600K surface temperature and a planet-wide continuous and thick water-cloud veil is consistent with the observed microwave brightness distribution in the millimeter and centimeter range. The total water content of this veil is estimated at 10 gm per sq cm. The surface pressure of the sustaining atmosphere may be as low as three atmospheres. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0434501
Entities
People
- D. Deirmendjian
Organizations
- RAND Corporation