The scientific community has once again shifted its gaze towards Venus, the second planet from the sun. Recently, researchers have gathered fresh intel about the celestial body by utilising the capabilities of radio wave technology. The data collection took place between 2006 and 2020 with NASA’s Goldstone Antenna located in California’s Mojave Desert being the source of transmission. The radio echoes that returned provided valuable insights into the characteristics of this neighboring planet.
Latest Findings on Venus
Upon dissecting the information contained within the radio signals, scientists discovered a fascinating attribute of Venus – its rotation. A single Venusian rotation spans across 243.0226 Earth days, implying that a day in Venus endures longer than its year which completes an orbit around the sun in 225 Earth days. This finding paints a peculiar temporal image of the planet.
As for its structural makeup, the Venusian core measures about 7,000 km in diameter, closely resembling the dimensions of the Earth’s core, which sits at 6,970 km. Moreover, the tilt of Venus’s axis is estimated to be about 2.64 degrees, significantly lesser than Earth’s 23.5 degrees.
Previous Discoveries
In prior research, the detection of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus sparked speculation about potential lifeforms existing on the planet. This, combined with a study published in Nature Geoscience showcasing Venus’ geological activity – signified by the presence of 37 active volcanoes or ‘coronae’, further fuels the intrigue around the planet.
About Venus
Often referred to as Earth’s Twin, Venus holds many unique characteristics. Primarily, its atmosphere stands out due to its density and toxicity, largely composed of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid droplets. The planet is also known for its extraordinarily high surface temperatures, reaching up to 471 degrees Celsius, a result of the ‘runaway greenhouse’ effect. This phenomenon manifests when a planet absorbs more energy from the sun than it can radiate back into space.
In terms of movement, Venus is one of two planets that rotate from east to west, an action termed as “backwards” rotation. Lastly, unlike most planets, Venus boasts neither moons nor rings.
Venus in Context of Space Missions
Several space exploration missions have targeted Venus as their subject of interest. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning an upcoming mission tentatively named ‘Shukrayaan’. Previous missions include Akatsuki launched by Japan in 2015, Venus Express by the European Space Agency in 2005, and NASA’s Magellan in 1989. Each of these endeavors aims to learn more about this intriguing neighbor in our solar system.
