Abstract
A model to explain the low emissivity venusian highlands is proposed
utilizing the temperature-dependent dielectric constant of ferroelectric
minerals. Ferroelectric minerals are known to occur in alkaline and
carbonatite rocks, both of which are plausible for Venus. Ferroelectric
minerals possess extremely high dielectric constants (10(5)) over
small temperature intervals and are only required in minor (<<1%)
abundances to explain the observed emissivities. The ferroelectric
model can account for: (1) the observed reduction in emissivity with
increased altitude, (2) the abrupt return to normal emissivities
at highest elevations, and (3) the variations in the critical elevation
observed from region to region.
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