Sulfur monoxide dimer chemistry as a possible source of polysulfur in the upper atmosphere of Venus.

ABSTRACT: The abundance of SO dimers (SO)₂ in the upper atmosphere of Venus and their implications for the enigmatic ultraviolet absorption has been investigated in several studies over the past few years. However, the photochemistry of sulfur species in the upper atmosphere of Venus is still not well understood and the identity of the missing ultraviolet absorber(s) remains unknown. Here we update an existing photochemical model of Venus' upper atmosphere by including the photochemistry of SO dimers. Although the spectral absorption profile of SO dimers fits the unknown absorber, their abundance is found to be too low for them to contribute significantly to the absorption. It is more likely that their photolysis and/or reaction products could contribute more substantively. Reactions of S

SUBMITTER: Pinto JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7794339 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature