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C. Lee, S. R. Lewis, P. L. Read (Oxford)
A simple bulk cloud model implemented in the Oxford Venus General Circulation Model (GCM) is used to investigate the transport of passive tracers.
A description is given of the parameterizations used to provide a source and sink for the sulphuric acid vapour, and of the additional physics required for the simulation of cloud particles in the model. Results from the cloud model are related to the atmospheric velocity and temperature fields in the model and compared to observed cloud features in the atmosphere of Venus.
The waves present in the model wind and temperature fields are then investigated to construct a global picture of the wave activity in the model, and of the contribution of the MRG wave and Kelvin wave to the zonally averaged flow and. Significant super--rotation is produced in the model. The horizontal and vertical components of the Rayleigh stresses are used to study the barotropic and baroclinic instabilities in the atmosphere and their correlation with the large scale waves is investigated.
Current development of the Venus GCM is discussed, including the thermodynamic effect of the cloud and vapour in the atmosphere and the feedback effect between the cloud formation and the waves in the atmosphere. The cause of the apparent lack of cloud in the model polar vortex is also discussed.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.