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Photolysis of sulphuric acid as the source of sulphur oxides in the mesosphere of Venus

Montmessin, Franck; Bertaux, Jean-Loup; Zhang, Xi +3 more

The sulphur cycle plays fundamental roles in the chemistry and climate of Venus. Thermodynamic equilibrium chemistry at the surface of Venus favours the production of carbonyl sulphide and to a lesser extent sulphur dioxide. These gases are transported to the middle atmosphere by the Hadley circulation cell. Above the cloud top, a sulphur oxidatio…