Venus

Earth's "Evil Twin"

It's our nearest neighbor and a near twin to Earth in size and composition. But, compared to the rest of the terrestrial worlds, we know little about Venus. What makes the markings in its clouds? How did its history diverge from Earth's to lead to its hellish climate? Why does it have so many volcanoes? Are any of those volcanoes active today? What is its surface made of? Current missions like Venus Express and Akatsuki aim to understand its atmosphere, but no one is currently planning to venture beneath its clouds to explore its surface.

Recent Blog Articles About Venus

Venus' very pretty craters

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2012/03/05 04:15 CST | 0 comments

Each Magellan images of Venus seems to be a work of abstract art.

Some Details About Transits of Venus

Posted by David Shortt on 2012/05/22 06:02 CDT | 0 comments

The upcoming rare transit of Venus is one step in a long dance among Earth, Venus and the Sun. Transits of Venus follow a peculiar pattern—two transits 8 years apart, then 105.5 years with no transits, then two transits 8 years apart, then 121.5 years with no transits, for a total cycle of 243 years—and thereby hangs a tale.

Is there life on Venus? Not in reprocessed Venera-13 images.

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2012/01/23 12:56 CST | 0 comments

Is there life on Venus? Not in reprocessed Venera-13 images.