Quasi-Periodic Variation of the Lower Equatorial Cloud Induced by Atmospheric Waves on Venus

A quasi-periodic variation of the lower cloud amount induced by atmospheric waves was reproduced in our Venus general circulation model for the first time. This result agrees well with previous 2.3-mu m infrared nightside measurements. The cloud amount variation is mainly caused by a temperature fluctuation with a period of similar to 5.5 Earth days near the cloud base, which is associated with a Kelvin-like gravity wave with a zonal wavenumber-1 structure. Our result might be able to explain the mechanism of the periodical variation of the brightness in the Venusian low-latitudes shown by the previous 2.3-mu m infrared nightside measurements. It is also suggested that the temporal variation of the mass loading due to the temperature fluctuation is related to the abrupt appearance and disappearance of the large cloud particle (Mode 3) and explains the sharp discontinuity of the lower cloud found by the recent Akatsuki and ground-based infrared nightside measurements.

Automated summary

The study reproduced a quasi-periodic variation of lower cloud amount induced by atmospheric waves in the Venus general circulation model for the first time, which agrees well with previous infrared nightside measurements. This result may explain the mechanism of periodic brightness variation in the low latitudes of Venus shown by previous infrared nightside measurements.