Ion-aerosol interactions in the lower atmosphere of Venus

Abstract

All planetary atmospheres are electrified to some extent by cosmic ray ionisation, and Venus is no exception. There is increasing awareness that ion-aerosol interactions could modulate terrestial radiative processes, and this possibility will be investigated for the Venusian atmosphere. The likelihood of a Venusian global atmospheric electric circuit will also be discussed.

Based on oral presentation at Venus Entry Probe Workshop, ESA/ESTEC, 19-20 January 2006