Mysteries Of The Venusian Atmosphere

[Waspie_Dwarf]

NASA Research Helps Unravel Mysteries Of The Venusian Atmosphere

Underscoring the vast differences between Earth and its neighbor Venus, new research shows a glimpse of giant holes in the electrically charged layer of the Venusian atmosphere, called the ionosphere. The observations point to a more complicated magnetic environment than previously thought – which in turn helps us better understand this neighboring, rocky planet.

Planet Venus, with its thick atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, its parched surface, and pressures so high that landers are crushed within a few hours, offers scientists a chance to study a planet very foreign to our own. These mysterious holes provide additional clues to understanding Venus's atmosphere, how the planet interacts with the constant onslaught of solar wind from the sun, and perhaps even what's lurking deep in its core.

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[Waspie_Dwarf]

Ionospheric Holes on Venus

The European Space Agency's Venus Express mission saw something it could not explain. It appeared that there were holes on the nightside of Venus' ionosphere. Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center investigated these mysterious holes, and found evidence that the sun's magnetic field lines may be penetrating through the planet.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Source: NASA - Scientific Visualization Studio

[Sundew]

A hellish place to be sure.

[Crabby Kitten]

Some would love go there for a holiday.

[taniwha]

We should send a compass to Venus and solve this mystery once and for all

[Waspie_Dwarf]

We should send a compass to Venus and solve this mystery once and for all

So you want to spend millions to send a compass to a planet where the surface temperature would melt it, the atmospheric pressure would crush it and where the sulphuric acid rain would dissolve it. Even if it survived all this the compass wouldn't work because Venus has no discernible magnetic field.

Apart from the recurring question, why does taniwha keep posting crap, what mystery exactly do you think it would solve?