Comparative analysis of airglow emissions in terrestrial planets, observed with VIRTIS-M instruments on board Rosetta and Venus Express

Airglow emissions are optimal processes to investigate the chemistry and dynamics in planetary atmospheres. In this study, we focus on the O-2 and OH airglow emissions in Venus, Earth, and Mars atmospheres, which are controlled by chemical reactions common to the three planets. By studying these phenomena on Venus, Earth, and Mars using similar instruments, we are able to derive information about their photochemistry and the physical conditions of the atmospheres, but also to constrain the dynamics responsible for transport of atomic oxygen, ozone and other minor species. After a review of the nightglow emissions observed in the Venus atmosphere, we analyze the O-2 and OH airglow emissions in the Earth's atmosphere observed during the 3 swing-bys of our planet by the Rosetta spacecraft. We also report the detection of the O-2 nightglow emission in the Mars atmosphere, observed in February 2007 during the Rosetta fly-by of the planet. The airglow characteristics are in agreement with the measurements obtained from sensors on board Mars Express. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.