Inverse problem of the multiple scattering theory and interpretation of measurements of radiation scattered by a cloud layer of the Venus

A method for solving the inverse problem applicable for the inversion of results of direct measurements of the intensity of scattered solar radiation in optically thick nonuniform planet atmospheres has been developed. The application of the method to the processing of the results of measurements in the Venus atmosphere makes it possible to obtain the characteristics of scattering of the atmosphere, which determine the radiation transfer, and to single out the characteristics of scattering of the cloud strata. The use of the results of land-based polarimetry enables to determine the coefficient of extinction and concentration of aerosol particles in the upper cloud stratum, which are equal to 1.6x10-5 cm-1 and 2.4x102 cm-3 respectively at an altitude of 60 km. The existence of a lower cloud stratum is confirmed. A comparison with the results of direct nephelometric measurements in the Venus atmosphere below 50 km enables one to estimate the extinction coefficient and the anisotropy parameter of the scattering indicatrix for the lower cloud stratum being equal to (0.3-1)x10-6 cm-1 and 0.5-1.5 respectively