Venus Night Airglow Distibutions and Variability: NCAR VTGCM Simulations

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) thermospheric general circulation model for Venus (VTGCM) is producing results that are comparative to Pioneer Venus and Venus Express data. The model is a three dimensional model that can calculate temperatures, zonal winds, meridional winds, vertical winds, and concentration of specific species. The VTGCM can also compute the O[SUB]2[/SUB]-IR and NO-UV night airglow intensity distributions. With a lower boundary set at 70 Km and a range of sensitivity tests, the VTGCM is able to show consistent set of results with the nightside temperature and the night airglows. These results can show possible controlling parameters of the O[SUB]2[/SUB]-IR, NO-UV night airglow layers, and the nightside hot spot. Being able to understand the night airglow distribution and variability provides valuable insight into the changing circulation of Venusâ upper atmosphere and leads to an overall planetary perception of the atmospheric dynamics.