When
3:45 p.m., Oct. 13, 2015
Where
Kuiper Space Sciences 312
Pia Krause
University of Cologne
Study of Dynamics and Temperatures in Venus Upper Atmosphere by Ground-Based Observations
Understanding the physical and chemical processes in planetary atmospheres has been an important topic for a long time. General circulation models and meteorological forecast models go from strength to strength the more information they get from scientific observations.
A feasible way of investigating planetary atmospheres is to measure wind and temperatures to gain information about the dynamics and thermal structure. The structure of Venus atmosphere has been the target of intense studies in the past decade. Space- and ground-based observations have shed light on many open questions concerning the thermal and the dynamical behavior of its atmosphere but still many open questions remain. We use Doppler shifted non-LTE emission lines of CO2 at 10 µm to obtain wind velocities and temperatures in Venus' atmosphere at 110 km altitude. These emission lines arise only from insolation so our measurements are bound to the dayside of Venus. To facilitate observations of these lines from the ground, we use heterodyne spectroscopy which is an eminent technique to provide reasonable high spectral resolution.
Since Venus is mostly visible during daytime from the ground a solar telescope - like the McMath-Pierce solar telescope - is most suited for our observations.
University of Cologne
Study of Dynamics and Temperatures in Venus Upper Atmosphere by Ground-Based Observations
Understanding the physical and chemical processes in planetary atmospheres has been an important topic for a long time. General circulation models and meteorological forecast models go from strength to strength the more information they get from scientific observations.
A feasible way of investigating planetary atmospheres is to measure wind and temperatures to gain information about the dynamics and thermal structure. The structure of Venus atmosphere has been the target of intense studies in the past decade. Space- and ground-based observations have shed light on many open questions concerning the thermal and the dynamical behavior of its atmosphere but still many open questions remain. We use Doppler shifted non-LTE emission lines of CO2 at 10 µm to obtain wind velocities and temperatures in Venus' atmosphere at 110 km altitude. These emission lines arise only from insolation so our measurements are bound to the dayside of Venus. To facilitate observations of these lines from the ground, we use heterodyne spectroscopy which is an eminent technique to provide reasonable high spectral resolution.
Since Venus is mostly visible during daytime from the ground a solar telescope - like the McMath-Pierce solar telescope - is most suited for our observations.
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