Radiative energy balance in the venus atmosphere

Abstract

This chapter reviews the observations of the radiative fluxes inside and outside the Venusian atmosphere, along with the available data about the planetary energy balance and the distribution of sources and sinks of radiative energy. We also briefly address the role of the radiation on the atmospheric temperature structure, global circulation, thermodynamics, climate and evolution of Venus and compare the main features of radiative balance on the terrestrial planets. We describe the physics of the greenhouse effect as it applies to the evolution of the Venusian climate, concluding with a summary of outstanding open issues. The article is to a great extent based on the paper by Titov et al. [2007] expanded byincluding recent results from the Venus Express observations relevant to the topic.