Mechanism of Anomalous Rotation of the Venusian Atmosphere

Measurements of angular velocities in the cloud layer of the Venusian atmosphere from photographs in the ultra-violet range [1, 2], from the Doppler shift in spectroscopic data [3] and, then, from radio measurements of signals of the USSR [4] and USA descending vehicles, entering the atmosphere, have shown that the atmosphere of Venus, as a whole, rotates in the same direction, as the planet itself (the retrograde rotation), but more than ten times faster. The planet’s period of rotation is about 240 terrestrial days, and the period of rotation of the atmosphere’s upper layers equals four days, approximately. Measurements performed by descending vehicles have shown that the angular velocity of wind has, basically, zonal retrograde direction at all altitudes and at various latitudes. This fact was also confirmed during the flight of two aerostat probes with duration of two terrestrial days for each. It turns out that the following amusing fact takes place: the whole atmosphere rotates faster than the planetary surface, and it should transfer the angular momentum to the planet due to friction. This implies that a constant external moment of forces should act upon the atmosphere for maintaining its fast rotation. Several models of origination of the external momentum were suggested [5], but none of them provides necessary velocities of the cloud layer. A model of formation of the external moment of forces acting upon the cloud layer is considered in this paper. The model explains superrotation and the appearance of retrograde rotation of the atmosphere. During the planet lifetime the retrograde momentum has transferred from the atmosphere to the solid surface and could result in retrograde rotation of the planet itself. The model is based on the experimentally confirmed