4-day waves in the Venus atmosphere

Abstract

Ultraviolet albedo contrasts in the Venus atmosphere are probably large-scale atmospheric waves propagating slowly with respect to the rapid cloud-top zonal winds. Using a simple theoretical model and profiles of mean wind and thermal structure based on Pioneer Venus data, planetary-scale gravity waves with phase velocities matching the speeds of the UV markings are found. An upward-propagating wave, and waves trapped at cloud levels are proposed as candidates to explain the observed UV features.