Fluorescent emission of carbon dioxide at Venus

This animation shows the fluorescent emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the upper atmosphere of Venus on the day side.

It was obtained by the Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) on board ESA’s Venus Express by scanning the atmospheric limb (it provides a side-view of the upper atmosphere).

The observation was performed on 18 February 2007, while the spacecraft was flying at about 5000 km from the planet.

The two graphs at the bottom show atmospheric spectra obtained by the two instrument’s channels (VIRTIS-H on the left, and VIRTIS-M on the right). They plot the amount of light emitted at given wavelengths. The fluorescence peaks at 4.3 micrometres.