Reveal the interaction between the skin and the atmosphere of Venus

2018/06/20 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia
• Astrofisika

In the atmosphere of Venus they have unveiled the character of a mysterious cloud structure observed last year by the Akatsu mission. In fact, this cloud structure was stable over the surface, surprising by the superrotation of the atmosphere of Venus. In fact, it takes 243 days for the planet to turn around itself, while the atmosphere only needs 4 days. This is called superrotation. Well, according to the recent research published, the key is in the topography of the planet: This stable cloud structure arises as a consequence of the interaction between the mountains and the atmosphere, present on the rocky surface of Venus.

Itziar Garate López investigates the atmosphere of Venus in the laboratory of Dynamic Meteorology in Paris, whose head is one of the authors of the article, Lebonnois. Know the research well. In his opinion, it is important because it shows that topography influences the atmosphere and so far they do not expect it.

What's more, it seems to Garate that you also have to consider for your research: “The surface temperature and wind conditions are different in the equator (which studies this work) in other latitudes. However, I think I would have to start studying the influence of topography on the dynamics of atmospheric turbulence that I study. So far I thought there was no influence, because the polar swirls are very high in the atmosphere, at 40-60 km. This work has shown me that I can be wrong.”

In addition, Garate explained that the work will serve to know the moment of inertia of the planet, which would allow to know better the internal structure of the planet. Garate added that it expands the need to accurately measure and study the length of the day.