Venus’ photochemistry and Clouds. A numerical modelling perspective

Venus’ atmosphere is governed by a dynamic interplay between photochemistry and cloud processes. Composed primarily of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and water (H₂O), these clouds act as both a sink for atmospheric tracers, notably sulfur dioxide (SO₂), whose three-order-of-magnitude depletion across the cloud layer remains unexplained. This presentation will explore recent advances in three-dimensional modeling using the Venus Planetary Climate Model (Venus PCM), which integrates a detailed photochemical scheme and a cloud module from the surface to the thermosphere. While the model successfully reproduces observed vertical profiles of SO₂ and other tracers, the discrepancy between condensation-driven depletion and measurements suggests missing pathways such as liquid-phase chemistry or polysulfur formation. These results provide critical insights into Venus’ atmospheric chemistry and will help interpret future observations, including those from the upcoming EnVision mission and especially the VenSpec instrument onboard.

Fecha y lugar: 31/03/2026 – 12:30 | Salón de Actos
Aurélien Stolzenbach
IAA-CSIC