PART II

Abstract

. A historical account of observations of Venus and their interpretation is given. The major constituent of the atmosphere on Venus (CO2) was detected spectroscopically forty years ago, and minor constituents (CO, HF, HCI) have been found more recently. The infrared spectra also provide a means of studying the motions of her cloudy atmosphere. The composition of the clouds has been sought in the reflection spectrum of Venus, and some of the evidence for their nature is discussed. of old a square root the those Spinrad. average Spinrad