Variability of the nitric oxide nightglow at Venus during solar minimum. Issue 5 (20th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Royer, E. M.; Montmessin, F.; Marcq, E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 5(2016:May)
• Page Start: 846
• Page End: 853
• Publication Date: 2016-05-20
• Subjects: Venus -- upper atmosphere -- airglow -- nitric oxide; Planets -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 559.9
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JE005013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9097

Abstract

Abstract: We present results from a NO airglow inversion method based on Venus Express data acquired from 2006 to 2010, during the last solar minimum period. We retrieve an altitude of 114 ± 10 km for the emission peak of the NO layer, with an associated scale height of 20 ± 10 km and an average limb brightness of 59.3 kR with a standard deviation of 63 kR. The inversion method allows for the quantification of the horizontal homogeneity of the NO layer. Images of the SPICAV field of view show a great variability of airglow morphologies, with NO layers that can be horizontally homogenous and continuous over distances exceeding 100 km, as well as sporadic patches of NO on a smaller horizontal scale. Frequent secondary emissions seen at lower tangent altitudes are the signatures of the complex dynamics of the upper Venusian atmosphere. Key Points: We extracted the NO nightglow signal from a stellar occultation data set SPICAV imaging capabilities allow for a first quantification of the horizontal homogeneity of an airglow A long‐term (≥ 30 years) permanent feature is observed at 2 A.M. solar local time south of the equator