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Aerosol concentration profiles were measured by an aerosol spectrometer above the landing sites of the Vega 1 and Vega 2 landers. Approximately the same altitude zones were found as in previous experiments: a three-layered basic cloud cover, an intermediate zone and subcloud haze. There were significant quantitative differences in the concentrations of particles, however, and especially in the spectra of their dimensions. Nightglow was found in the troposphere of Venus at a wavelength of about 1 micron. The backscatter coefficient and the extinction coefficient change very little between 32 and 63 km. Large numbers of submicron particles apparently exist in the atmosphere above the landing sites.

A procedure is described for obtaining the calibration, angular and spectral characteristics of a broad band photometer used on Venera 9 and 10 spacecraft to measure the illuminance regime in five spectral intervals with respect to three directions. The photometer has three identical groups of photoreceivers on which light falls through fiber light guides. Each group contains three cadmium sulfide photoresistors with light filters, a cadmium selenide photoresistor and a silicon photodiode. The temperature of the photoreceivers is measured by thermistors installed in series with the receivers.

The characteristics of the field of radiation in the near surface layer of the atmosphere and on the surface of Venus are reported. Optical measurements made during the landing of the descent vehicles are described. The relief of the surface and the amount of dust on it are examined. The spectral relationship of the albedo of the soil and the light flux incident on the surface is discussed.

The spectra of the daytime sky of Venus were recorded on the Venera-11 and Venera-12 descent vehicles at various altitudes above the planet's surface, within the interval of 4500 to 12,000 Angstroms. The angular distribution of the brightness of the scattered radiation was recorded and the ratio of water and carbon dioxide were studied, with respect to the cloud cover boundaries.