Planetary Fourier Spectrometer
Led by IFSI-INAF, Rome , Italy
PFS will be able to measure the temperature of the atmosphere between altitudes of 55–100 kilometres at a very high resolution. It will also be able to measure the surface temperature and therefore be able to search for volcanic activity. In addition to its temperature measurements, PFS will be able to make composition measurements of the atmosphere.
PFS (Planetary Fourier Spectrometer) is an infrared spectrometer that operates in the 0.9 μm to 45 μm wavelength range and is designed to perform vertical optical sounding of the Venus atmosphere. The instrument is designed to:
- Perform global, long-term monitoring of the three-dimensional temperature field in the lower atmosphere (from cloud level up to 100 km)
- Measure the concentration and distribution of known minor atmospheric constituents
- Search for unknown atmospheric constituents
- Determine, from their optical properties, the size, distribution and chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols
- Investigate the radiation balance of the atmosphere and the influence of aerosols on atmospheric energetics
- Study global circulation, mesoscale dynamics and wave phenomena
- Analyse surface to atmosphere exchange processes
More info
Other Venus Express Instruments
- ASPERA (Analyser of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms)
- MAG (Venus Express Magnetometer)
- SPICAV/SOIR (Ultraviolet and Infrared Atmospheric Spectrometer)
- VeRa (Venus Radio Science Experiment)
- VIRTIS (Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer)
- VMC (Venus Monitoring Camera)
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