Abstract
The observed spin-orbit resonance of Venus, whereby the same side of Venus faces the Earth at each inferior conjunction, cannot be explained adequately by gravitational interaction with the Earth alone. The expected solar tidal drag on the solid body of Venus would easily overwhelm the Earth's couple upon any reasonable permanent deformation of Venus. If there exists, however, a solar atmospheric tide, partly thermally induced and similar to that known on the Earth, its torque may counteract that due to the solar solid body tide at a particular rotation period. The small interaction with the Earth is then sufficient to lock the period to one of the resonances in the vicinity of that angular velocity.
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