An Analysis of the Chemical Composition of the Atmosphere of Venus on an AMS of the Venera-12 Using a Gas Chromatograph

Abstract

Eight analyses of the atmosphere of Venus were made beginning at an altitude of 42 km right down to the surface of the planet. The following were detected in the atmosphere of Venus: nitrogen in concentrations of 2.5 plus or minus 0.5 volumetric %, argon ir concentrations (4 plus or minus 2) x 10 to the minus 3 power volumetric %, CO--(2.8 plus or minus 1.4) x 10 to the minus 3 power volumetric % and SO2 in concentrations (1.3 plus or minus 0.6) x 10 to the minus 2 power volumetric %. The upper limits were estimated for the content of oxygen and water equal to 2 x 10 to the minus 3 power and 10 to the minus 2 power volumetric %, respectively.