Publication Abstracts
Rossow et al. 1990
, , and T. Eichler, 1990: Cloud-tracked winds from Pioneer Venus OCPP images. J. Atmos. Sci., 47, 2053-2084, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1990)047<2053:CTWFVO>2.0.CO;2.
Analysis of ultraviolet image sequences, obtained from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Cloud Photopolarimeter and covering five 80-day periods from 1979-1985, provides the first climatological description of the cloud top circulation on Venus. The average zonal winds can be characterized as a 5-day retrograde rotation of the whole cloud-level atmosphere with weak "jets" at middle to high latitudes. Both the midlatitude and equatorial zonal winds vary by about 5-8 m/s over time spans of 1-6 years. The average meridional circulation is poleward in both hemispheres up to at least 60° latitude, consistent with the presence of a thermally direct Hadley circulation associated with the clouds. The strength of the Hadley circulation also varies with time. Four wave modes are clearly identified: a diurnal solar tide, a semi-diurnal tide, a "4-day equatorial" wave, and a "5-day midlatitude" wave. The semidiurnal tide appears to have an amplitude of about 5 m/s and to be approximately constant with time; the diurnal tide varies in amplitude from about 10 m/s to less than 5 m/s. Both tides have phases such that maximum zonal windspeeds occur near the evening terminator. The "4-day" wave is wavenumber 1 and has an amplitude of about 5 m/s that peaks at the equator and varies with time; in 1982 no wave with this period was apparent in the data. This wave mode is identified as a Kelvin mode by Del Genio and Rossow. The "5-day" wave is wavenumber 1 and has an amplitude of about 5 m/s that peaks at midlatitudes and varies in time; in 1982 no wave with this period was apparent. This wave mode is identified as an internal Rossby-Haurwitz mode.
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BibTeX Citation
@article{ro03400p,
author={Rossow, W. B. and Del Genio, A. D. and Eichler, T.},
title={Cloud-tracked winds from Pioneer Venus OCPP images},
year={1990},
journal={Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences},
volume={47},
pages={2053--2084},
doi={10.1175/1520-0469(1990)047%3C2053%3ACTWFVO%3E2.0.CO;2},
}
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RIS Citation
TY - JOUR ID - ro03400p AU - Rossow, W. B. AU - Del Genio, A. D. AU - Eichler, T. PY - 1990 TI - Cloud-tracked winds from Pioneer Venus OCPP images JA - J. Atmos. Sci. JO - Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences VL - 47 SP - 2053 EP - 2084 DO - 10.1175/1520-0469(1990)047%3C2053%3ACTWFVO%3E2.0.CO;2 ER -
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