The Atmosphere of Venus and Mars

The atmospheres of the other terrestrial planets remain a focus of considerable interest. A highlight of current studies is numerical modelling, particularly general circulation models of the Martian atmosphere. The continued interest in Martian dynamics is complemented by recent developments in understanding photochemistry and the origins of the Martian atmosphere. Some of the results from the recent Russian Phobos missions relate to this, particularly with reference to aerosol properties and anomolous water vapour abundances on Mars. Fresh information has been acquired regarding the deep atmosphere of Venus from the newly discovered near infrared atmospheric "windows" from both ground-based and Galileo - NIMS spectral observations in this spectral region. It has become clear that the Venusian tropopause has a complicated dynamical structure, as well as a complex chemical and radiative environment. Some species, such as carbon monoxide, are globally variable and probably act as tracers for the global circulation.
Water vapour, on the other hand, seems to be well mixed both horizontally and vertically, but with a much smaller abundance than had been inferred from earlier measurements. New intelligence concerning upper atmosphere temperature structure is still being gathered from Pioneer, Vega and Venera observations and radio occultation experiments. This volume contains a selection of papers presented at the C3.1. Meeting of COSPAR Scientific Commission C.
 
The atmospheres of the other terrestrial planets remain a focus of considerable interest. A highlight of current studies is numerical modelling, particularly general circulation models of the Martian atmosphere. The continued interest in Martian dynamics is complemented by recent developments in understanding photochemistry and the origins of the Martian atmosphere. Some of the results from the recent Russian Phobos missions relate to this, particularly with reference to aerosol properties and anomolous water vapour abundances on Mars. Fresh information has been acquired regarding the deep atmosphere of Venus from the newly discovered near infrared atmospheric "windows" from both ground-based and Galileo - NIMS spectral observations in this spectral region. It has become clear that the Venusian tropopause has a complicated dynamical structure, as well as a complex chemical and radiative environment. Some species, such as carbon monoxide, are globally variable and probably act as tracers for the global circulation.
Water vapour, on the other hand, seems to be well mixed both horizontally and vertically, but with a much smaller abundance than had been inferred from earlier measurements. New intelligence concerning upper atmosphere temperature structure is still being gathered from Pioneer, Vega and Venera observations and radio occultation experiments. This volume contains a selection of papers presented at the C3.1. Meeting of COSPAR Scientific Commission C.