Radar Determination of the Radius of Venus

Abstract

The radius of Venus has been determined from radar-range data taken at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Goldstone facility. A simultaneous intergration of the equations of motion of the solar-system fit to this time-delay data gave a value of 6053.7 +/- 2.2 kilometers. A discussion of other Venusian radius determinations is made.

Single Atoms Visibility

“…As a result, the refractivity profiles became nearly symmetric [see reference 5, p. 665, in Eshleman et al (9)]. Subsequent to the Kitt Peak conference a plethora of papers was published (see for example, [8][9][10][11], which agreed substantively with our analysis, including two (10, 11) which reported new and independent estimates of the radius (6053.7 + 2.2 km and 6052.5 ± 2 km). The latter value was obtained by means of a fundamentally different technique.…”

The Atmospheres of Mars and Venus

“…Pressure and temperature profiles above this level are obtained with the aid of the hydrostatic relation. Surface pressure is estimated by extrapolating to the surface, using the value of the radius of the solid planet obtained from ground-based radar data (Ash et al 1968, Melbourne, Muhleman & O'Handley 1968. The estimated value of the surface pressure is in the range 70-120 arm, corresponding to 70-120 kg/cm~ of CO2 averaged over the surface of Venus.…”

Radio and Radar Studies of Venus and Mercury

“…The index o.f refraction of the atmosphere produced a Doppler frequency shift, which was easily observed in the tracking data. Thus the profile of refractivity as a function of distance from the center of mass radius is smaller, Venera 4 did not reach the surface, and the on-board radar altimeter erred.If one accepts 6053 km for the radius of Venus (as determined by earth-based radar[Ash et al, 1968;Melbourne et al, 1968]), then the temperature and pressure at the surface would be about 760 øK and 80 atm, respectively.…”