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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 145 records · Page 8

Eddy diffusion coefficient for the atmosphere of Venus from radio scintillation measurements

Estimates are obtained of the vertical mass eddy diffusion coefficient of the Venus atmosphere in the region of turbulence near 60 km on the basis of radio scintillations observed during radio occultation by the atmosphere. The structure constant estimated from Pioneer Venus orbit 18 entrance radio occultation measurements is used, under the assumption that the turbulence is generated by wind-shear, to derive a value of 40,000 sq cm/sec for the vertical mass eddy diffusion coefficient, together with an energy dissipation rate of 20 sq cm/sec and a temperature fluctuation dissipation rate of 0.001 K-squared/sec. Results are noted to fall within the range measured for the earth's troposphere, however, indicate that small-scale turbulence is probably the dominant mechanism for vertical transport near the tropopause in the Venus atmosphere.

Woo, R.↗

Observations of small-scale turbulence in the atmosphere of Venus by Mariner 5

Information regarding small-scale turbulence in the Venus atmosphere is important and desirable because it contributes to understanding of the atmosphere's circulation. It is demonstrated that the radio occultation data of a flyby spacecraft such as Mariner 5 can provide valuable information on turbulence in the Venus atmosphere. Unlike previous studies of the Mariner 5 data, this paper is based on the frequency spectrum rather than the variance of the log-amplitude fluctuations. The excellent agreement between the processed and previously derived theoretical spectra furnishes strong evidence that the Mariner 5 fluctuations are primarily turbulence-induced. It is seen that, above 35 km, turbulence is strongest in the vicinity of 45 and 60 km, and that the outer scale of turbulence is of the order of 100 m. Comparison with the results obtained from the Venera missions is also discussed.

Woo, R.↗

Does spectroscopic evidence require two scattering layers in the Venus atmosphere.

Comments on Hunt's (1972) conclusion that the phase variation of lines in the 7820- and 7883-A CO2 bands is due to the presence of two scattering layers in the Venusian atmosphere. It is shown that the increase of equivalent width with phase between 0 and 90 deg noted by Hunt in the data by Gray Young et al. (1971) does not necessarily require a two-layer model of scattering in the Venusian atmosphere and that this increase may be due to the strong backward lobe in the Venusian cloud phase function. Hunt, in a reply, notes that Regas et al. incorrectly use in their analysis Hansen's (1969) data which are for a homogeneous planetary atmosphere, while Hunt used an inhomogeneous model of the Venusian atmosphere. In addition, further evidence to support Hunt's claim for a multilayered structure of the upper Venusian clouds is presented.

Regas, J. L.↗

Estimates of the Venus atmosphere optical characteristics with application to the problem of photographing its clouds and surface

Optical parameters investigated and solved for included: (1) cloud layer albedo and cloud cover optical thickness; (2) planetary surface self-radiation influence; (3) light flux distribution as function of atmospheric height; (4) upper estimate of the observed contrasts; (5) surface optical parameters; and (6) contrast decrease with altitude.

Biryukov, Y. L.↗

Implications of the VEGA balloon results for Venus atmospheric dynamics

Both VEGA balloons encountered vertical winds with typical velocities of 1 to 2 meters per second. These values are consistent with those estimated from mixing length theory of thermal convection. However, small-scale temperature fluctuations for each balloon were sometimes larger than predicted. The approximate 6.5-kelvin difference in temperature consistently seen between VEGA-1 and VEGA-2 is probably due to synoptic or planetary-scale nonaxisymmetric disturbances that propagate westward with respect to the planet. There is also evidence from Doppler data for the existence of solar-fixed nonaxisymmetric motions that may be thermal tides. Surface topography may influence atmospheric motions experienced by the VEGA-2 balloon.

Blamont, J. E.↗

Implications of preliminary Vega balloon results for the Venus atmosphere dynamics

The typical 1-2 m/sec vertical winds encountered by the Vega balloons probably result from thermal convection. The consistent 6.5-kelvin differential between the Vega 1 and Vega 2 temperatures is attributable to disturbances of synoptic or planetary scale. According to the Doppler tracking the winds were stronger than on earlier missions, perhaps because of solar thermal tides. The motions of Vega 2 may have been affected by waves from mountainous terrain.

Blamont, J. E.↗