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Astronomy: Venus
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Venus is the brightest object in our sky. Lying closer to the Sun than Earth it often is best seen at sunrise and sunset in the proximity of our star. The planet has been a mystery for a long time. Our neighbour is difficult to study because of a very dense cloud structure which makes it very difficult to observe the surface. This cloud structure is the cause that 65% of the sunlight reflects away, which explains its brightness. It was only recently - between 1990 and 1994 - when the Magellan spacecraft observed and mapped the planets surface that we gained a lot more knowledge about our neighbour. Venus is only 5% smaller than Earth in diameter and is thought to have the same interior structure. This is one of very few similarities with Earth. Venus' surface is dominated by lava plains similar to vulcanos on Hawai. The planet lacks plate tectonics and as a result it is more smooth than Earth with less high vulcanos and mountains. Hostile environmentThe atmosphere consists of a very dry and dense carbon-dioxide air and an environment with no rain and no oceans. The atmosphere is so dense that at sea level it is 90 times denser than Earth.A great greenhouse effect results in high temperatures. The temperature varies from -45o C at the top of the atmosphere with winds moving on average with a speed of 350 km per hour (230 miles per hour). To 460o C at the surface (870o F). All put together Venus has a very hostile surface and environment for man. Related subjects>> Venus seen from Earth>> Magellan >> Venera >> Galileo |
 The brightest object in the sky < JPG image 798 X 556 pixels >  In 1990 on its way to Jupiter Galileo captured Venus on picture in enhanced blue colors for extra details. Enlarged cloud structure details of 70 km are visible  Radar image by Magellan (Colours are enhanced for details; blue is not water)  The first panoramic view from Venus by Soviet lander Venera 13 on March 1 1982. < JPG image 969 X 438 pixels > |
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