Sulfuric acid in the Venus clouds.

摘要: The extremely dry nature of the Venus upper atmosphere appears to demand presence an efficient desiccating agent as chief constituent clouds Venus. On basis polarization measures it is be expected that this substance present spherical droplets, 1 2 microns in diameter, with a refractive index n 1.46 plus or minus 0.02 at 3500A observed region atmosphere, T about equal 235 K. This must have ultraviolet, visible, and infrared reflection properties not inconsistent spectrum Sulfuric acid, 86% by weight composition, roughly fulfills first these properties. visible ultraviolet transmission features thin layer elemental bromine hydrobromic acid dissolved sulfuric somewhat resemble spectrum, up 14 microns. chemical process postulated for forming involves oxidation sulfur its compounds through agency produced photolytic decomposition hydrogen bromide.