Possible Influence of Venus Topography on the Zonal Wind and UV albedo at Cloud Top Level

Abstract : We investigate the possible existence of planetary stationary waves generated by the interaction of the super-rotating zonal wind with the mountains of Venus. If a stationary gravity wave is generated, as on the Earth with cloud-forming downstream of the mountain, then it may propagate upward, depending on the vertical wind profile and stability profile. The possible break-up of the waves at cloud top level or just below could have a significant effect on the magnitude of the zonal wind, and also on vertical transport of the still-unknown UV absorber which is responsible for the UV contrast in UV images of the ubiquitous Venus cloud cover.