Articles tagged with Venus
A team from the University of Washington has used a robust model of Venus' atmosphere to reinterpret radio telescope observations and conclude that phosphine was unlikely detected. The data instead suggest sulfur dioxide as the source of the signal, which is consistent with what astronomers know of the planet's environment.
The VENUS device simulates complex organic molecules in interstellar space conditions by replicating the strong vacuum and frigid temperatures found in space. This allows researchers to better understand how these molecules form and potentially identify prebiotic species involved in early life processes.
A new study proposes that pieces of Venus could have crashed on the moon, providing a possible solution for testing Earth-like environment theories. Ancient rocks from Venus are thought to contain valuable information about the planet's history and its interactions with asteroids and comets.
A study by UCR astrobiologist Stephen Kane suggests that Venus was likely habitable a billion years ago due to its more circular orbit. The findings could provide insights into how the Earth became habitable and what went wrong for Venus, which now has surface temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers found layering consistent with volcanic activity on Venus' oldest terrain, tesserae, dating back 750 million years. This finding suggests that these regions were formed through volcanic activity rather than tectonic deformation or continental crust formation.
An international team of astronomers detected phosphine in Venus' atmosphere, which could be evidence of biological origin, but unknown photochemistry or geochemistry are also possible explanations.
Astronomers have discovered phosphine in the clouds of Venus, leading to speculation about the presence of microbial life. Calculations suggest that terrestrial organisms would need to operate at 10% of their maximum productivity to produce the observed quantity of phosphine.
A team of international researchers has detected phosphine gas in Venus' clouds, a potential biosignature indicative of life. The finding is significant as it rules out natural non-biological processes that could produce the same amount of phosphine.
Computer simulations revealed that Venus' coronae topography depends on crust thickness and magma activity, classifying over 100 large coronae into active and inactive groups. The 'Ring of Fire' in Venus' southern hemisphere is a zone expelling high levels of rising plume material.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered 37 recently active volcanic structures on Venus, suggesting the planet's interior is still churning. The study provides evidence that Venus is no longer a dormant planet and may hold clues to its geological development.
Using data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, scientists at Durham University measured the rates at which neutron particles leaked out from Venus and Mercury. The findings suggest a neutron lifetime of 13 minutes, with implications for our understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Physicists at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have developed a new method for wind speed remote measurements. The instrument measures infrared atmospheric absorption spectrum with ultra-high spectral resolution, enabling retrieval of wind speeds with accuracy of 3-5 meters per second.
Researchers tracked Venus' atmospheric clouds and winds using Akatsuki data to estimate forces sustaining super-rotation. Thermal tides from solar heating near the equator are found to provide required angular momentum
Researchers found that atmospheric tidal waves formed from solar heating on the planet's dayside and cooling on its nightside maintain Venus' super-rotation. The study also reveals a dual circulation system that transports heat across the globe.
A team of researchers led by Cédric Gillmann found that water on Earth has been there since its formation, likely buried deep in the planet. This discovery challenges previous ideas about the origin of water and has implications for habitability of ancient planets.
Researchers found that the early Sun's rotation rate and solar activity influenced the formation of the Moon, affecting sodium and potassium levels. The study suggests that space weather played a crucial role in shaping the solar system's evolution.
Researchers identified a giant streak structure among Venus' clouds using Akatsuki spacecraft data, which was replicated by high-resolution climate simulations. The study suggests that the streak structure is formed from baroclinic instability and jet streams in the planet's atmosphere.
Parker Solar Probe will make its journey to the Sun's atmosphere, closer than any spacecraft in history, with a highly elliptical orbit and speeds of up to 430,000 miles per hour. The spacecraft will observe the acceleration of the solar wind and study extreme events on the Sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
Researchers propose that Venus' cloudy atmosphere could be a niche for extraterrestrial microbial life due to its highly acidic conditions and presence of sulfuric acid. The atmosphere's unique properties, such as the dark patches composed of concentrated sulfuric acid, have sparked interest in exploring this possibility.
NASA has selected the Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return and Dragonfly mission for concept development under the New Frontiers program. The CAESAR mission aims to return a sample from a comet to study its origin and history, while the Dragonfly mission will explore Saturn's moon Titan and its prebiotic chemistry.
A study on Mars- and Venus-sized planet formation suggests that low solar activity helped Venus retain its atmosphere. The model indicates that Mars lost its atmosphere due to low gravity and high stellar EUV luminosity, while Venus retained its atmosphere in scenarios with moderate radiation.
Researchers analyzed Akatsuki data to uncover wind velocities with temporal and spatial variabilities in lower-to-middle cloud layers. The discovery of an equatorial jet near the equator has significant implications for understanding superrotation theories.
A NASA-led CubeSat mission, CUVE, is designed to investigate the nature of a mysterious absorber in Venus' uppermost cloud layer. The mission will utilize ultraviolet-sensitive instruments and a novel carbon-nanotube light-gathering mirror to gather data.
Researchers from an international collaboration have analyzed data from the Venus Express spacecraft to investigate Venus's complex atmosphere. They found that stationary gravity waves at higher altitudes are related to surface elevations, suggesting wind currents caused by topographical obstacles contribute to the planet's superrotation.
Astrophysicists from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology discovered that hydrogen bromide could play an important part in the photochemistry of Venus' lower atmosphere. The study found low abundance of HBr, but thermodynamic calculations suggest it dominates at lower altitudes.
Ancient Venus may have had a shallow liquid-water ocean and a habitable surface due to its slow spin, which exposed the dayside to sunlight for almost two months at a time. This warmed the surface and created rain, leading to a thick layer of clouds that shielded the surface from solar heating.
Researchers suggest minor evolutionary changes could have altered the fates of Earth and Venus, potentially leading to life on Venus and none on Earth. The study expands the notion of habitable zones and questions the role of plate tectonics in supporting life.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that Venus' electric field is capable of accelerating oxygen ions to escape the planet's gravity, stripping away significant amounts of water over billions of years. This discovery challenges previous theories about the planet's loss of oceans and atmospheres.
A powerful electric wind can strip water from an atmosphere, stripping Venus of its oceans, and may have played a significant role in Earth's loss of oceans. The discovery was made by NASA-funded researchers using the ESA's Venus Express mission.
New research reveals an 'electric wind' strong enough to remove water components from Venus' upper atmosphere, stripping it of its oceans. This powerful electric field accelerates oxygen ions to escape speeds, contributing to the loss of atmospheric gases.
The study, published in Icarus, found that ferric chloride is the most likely substance causing UV absorption in Venus's atmosphere. Sulfur particles are no longer considered responsible for this effect.
A new theory suggests that life on other planets would become extinct quickly due to unstable planetary environments. The Gaian Bottleneck model proposes that most fossils in the universe are from extinct microbial life, not complex species like dinosaurs or humans.
Researchers propose that mantle plumes played a crucial role in initiating plate tectonics on Earth. Computer simulations suggest that plume-induced weaknesses in the lithosphere could have led to the formation of subduction zones and the emergence of modern plate boundaries. The study provides a possible explanation for the early hist...
A new hypothesis suggests that large bolides pierced early thin lithosphere, causing massive partial melting and forming cratonic crust. This process is thought to have occurred on a Venus-like Earth, which preserved a more complete geological record of its infancy.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that Earth's first crust was torn from the planet and lost to space due to asteroid bombardment, leading to the evolution of its plate tectonics, magnetic field and climate. This phenomenon, known as impact erosion, helps explain why Earth is habitable while Venus is not.
Scientists measured the absorption of different wavelengths of light in Venus' atmosphere, revealing clues about its composition and temperature. This research will help improve studies of exoplanets and future missions to Venus.
Scientists have discovered transient spikes in temperature at several spots on Venus' surface, indicating active flows of lava. The hotspots are clustered in a large rift zone called Ganiki Chasma, suggesting ongoing volcanic activity.
Scientists propose using infrasonic observations to study geological dynamics of Venus, with potential applications in understanding planet's interior and history. Researchers plan to deploy balloons or satellites above Venus' surface to detect barometric pressure changes or airglow, which could reveal seismic activity on the planet.
A NASA study found that small solar eruptions, like a slow-moving CME, can cause significant atmospheric loss in planets without magnetic shields. This research has implications for understanding habitability and the potential effects of solar storms on other planets.
Researchers found a mysterious warm layer at altitudes of 90-100 km on Venus' night side, 20-40 degrees warmer than predicted. This anomaly may be connected to the ozone layer and could be caused by chemical reactions involving chlorine-based substances.
Scientists used bistatic radar to create high-resolution images of Venus' surface from Earth, revealing features like mountains, craters, and volcanoes. The technique enables comparison of images taken at different periods, helping detect signs of active volcanism or geologic processes.
Researchers found that tens of thousands of small impacts could efficiently jettison Earth's entire primordial atmosphere, while giant impacts would be less effective. The team's calculations suggest that the early Earth was likely devoid of its original atmosphere, with Venus and Mars also experiencing significant atmospheric loss.
Researchers Elise Harrington and Allan Treiman re-analyzed twenty-year-old spacecraft data to study Venus's surface. They found radio waves reflected differently at different elevations, creating a pattern of brightening with increasing elevation, followed by 'radio black' spots at the highest locations.
New observations from NASA's Venus Express mission show giant holes in Venus' ionosphere, suggesting a more complex magnetic environment. The findings provide additional clues to understanding Venus' atmosphere and its interactions with the solar wind.
Researchers developed parameters to distinguish Venus-like planets from Earth-like ones based on distance from stars. The study identified 43 potential Venus-like planets with characteristics like size and orbit, but atmospheric conditions remain unknown.
Astronomers have pinpointed the 'Venus Zone' as a critical area around stars where planets are likely to exhibit unlivable conditions. This definition will help Kepler researchers distinguish between habitable and uninhabitable planets, enabling better understanding of Earth's atmospheric evolution.
Researchers investigate supperrotation on Venus and Titan using global atmospheric simulations. They find a global instability coupling equatorial waves, which could predict superrotation occurrence. This discovery helps scientists design spacecraft and landing missions for specific targets.
Giant hot flow anomalies can swallow Venus whole due to its magnetic field absence, posing a significant threat to the planet's surface. Observations from European Space Agency's Venus Express reveal frequent and large-scale space weather events at Venus.
A NASA sounding rocket called VeSpR is scheduled to launch on Nov. 25 to probe Venus' atmosphere and investigate the planet's water history. The mission aims to determine whether rivers once flowed on Venus and if the planet had ice.
Researchers have devised a way to detect and track asteroid collisions in interplanetary space using a new method to measure the mass of magnetic clouds created by impacts. This technique could help scientists better understand where to find new meteoroid debris that poses a threat.
Researchers discovered that the South pole vortex of Venus is composed of two main cloud layers, with centres of rotation at different altitudes forming a constantly evolving permanent structure. This phenomenon, known as super-rotation, occurs due to the planet's slow rotation speed and fast atmospheric rotation rate.
Scientists observed and measured the tiny distortion in a star's light caused by Venus passing in front of it. The effect, known as the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, is difficult to detect but holds promise for studying exoplanets. Measuring this effect will aid in understanding the history of exoplanet formation.
A six-year observation by ESA's Venus Express reveals significant changes in the planet's atmosphere, suggesting recent volcanic eruptions. The thick atmosphere contains over a million times more sulphur dioxide than Earth's, which is mostly generated by volcanic activity.
French physicists study Venus fly trap's leaf snapping mechanism, shedding light on its rapid closure. They use microfluidic pressure probe to measure cell wall elasticity and osmotic pressure, helping understand the botanical bite.
The research aims to test two theories on Venus' geological history, focusing on its volcanic activity and plate tectonics. The team will gather data from NASA's Magellan mission and create statistical models to analyze the orientations of volcanic constructs.
Researchers will observe the Arc of Venus, a glowing rim around Venus, to learn about its atmosphere and super-rotation. The phenomenon reveals temperature and density structures in Venus' middle atmosphere, shedding light on the planet's mysterious evolution.
The NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) will observe the June 2012 Venus transit to calibrate its instruments and learn more about Venus' atmosphere. The transit provides a unique opportunity to test the SDO's orientation accuracy and understand the point spread function of the telescope.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope will observe the moon for seven hours before, during, and after a rare Venus transit on June 5-6. The telescope will capture reflected sunlight and isolate the small fraction of light that passes through Venus' atmosphere to study its atmospheric makeup.
Astronomers will witness a rare transit of Venus, appearing as a small black dot on the Sun's surface, which won't happen again until 2117. The event will help scientists study Venus's atmosphere and potentially aid in finding extrasolar planets.
Scientists have found evidence of 'hot flow anomalies' on Venus, which are similar to those observed on Earth. These events release massive energy and can even deflect the solar wind back towards the sun.