Venus nitric oxide nightglow mapping from SPICAV nadir observations.

Nitric oxide δ (190-240 nm) and γ (255-270 nm) emissions on the Venus nightside have been
observed with Venus Express SPICAV instrument operated in the nadir mode. These ultraviolet
emissions arise from the desexcitation of excited NO molecules created by radiative recombination of O(3P) and N(4S) atoms. These atoms are produced on the dayside of the planet through photodissociation of CO2 and N2 molecules and are transported to the nightside by the global subsolar to antisolar circulation. We analyze a wide dataset of nadir observations obtained since 2006 to determine the statistical distribution of the NO nightglow and its variability. Individual observations show a great deal of variability and may exhibit multiple maxima along latitudinal cuts. We compare this global map with the results obtained during the Pioneer-Venus mission and with the recent O2(a1Δg) nightglow map. The NO airglow distribution shows a statistical bright region extending from 01:00 and 03:30 local time and 25°N to 10°S, very similar to the Pioneer result obtained 35 years earlier during maximum solar activity conditions. The shift from the antisolar point and the difference with the O2 airglow indicate that superrotating zonal winds are statistically weak near 97 km, but play an important role in the lower thermosphere. We compare these results with other evidence for superrotation in the thermosphere and point out possible sources of momentum transfer.