  To contribute to the knowledge of dynamics of interplanetary dust we are
searching for structures in the spatial distribution of interplanetary dust
near the orbit of Venus. To this end we study the radial gradient of zodiacal
light brightness, as observed by the zodiacal light photometer on board the
Helios space probes on several orbits from 1975 to 1979. The cleanest data
result from Helios B (= Helios 2) launched in January 1976. With respect to the
general increase of zodiacal light brightness towards the Sun, the data show an
excess brightness of a few percent for positions of the Helios space probe just
outside the orbit of Venus. We consider this as evidence for a dust ring
associated with the orbit of Venus, somewhat similar to that found earlier
along the Earth's orbit.
