Venus Ionised Droplet Investigations

This project will investigate the electrical properties of the Venusian lower atmosphere and their consequences for clouds, drawing particularly on the in-atmosphere electrical measurements made by the Venera 13 and 14 landers during their descents in March 1982. These landers carried sensors recording the electric current flowing to a point electrode, from which the existence of charged aerosol layers is implied. Further interpretation of these results requires a detailed understanding of the operation of the sensors, and modelling of the Venusian ion-aerosol-droplet environment which this project will undertake. It will also evaluate new electrical sensors for a future mission to Venus, which has become more likely due to the phosphine discovery.