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Venus atmosphere dynamics: A continuing enigma
Bougher, S. W.; Del Genio, A. D.; Limaye, S. S. +5 more
The dynamics of the Venus atmosphere presents a major unsolved problem in planetary science: the so-called superrotation of the lower atmosphere and its transition to a subsolar-to-antisolar circulation in the upper atmosphere. (In this paper we place the dividing line between the lower and upper atmosphere at 90-100 km altitude (pressure 0.39 to …
Surface evolution of Venus
Basilevsky, Alexander T.; McGill, George E.
This chapter contains short descriptions of material units and structures observed on the surface of Venus as well as an abbreviated history of discoveries, that led to the current knowledge of this planet's geology. It is shown that observed units and structures are broadly similar and commonly exhibit similar age sequences in different regions o…
Venus upper atmosphere and plasma environment: Critical issues for future exploration
Luhmann, J. G.; Russell, C. T.; Cravens, T. E. +2 more
This chapter briefly summarizes our state of knowledge about the upper atmosphere and plasma environment of Venus. This is followed by a discussion of some of the outstanding remaining issues in the field beginning with the Venus Express epoch and continuing to Planet C and beyond. We compare with other planets, especially Mars, and emphasize open…
Technology perspectives in the future exploration of Venus
Cutts, James A.; Balint, Tibor S.; Chassefiere, Eric +1 more
Science goals to understand the origin, history and environment of Venus have been driving international space exploration missions for over 40 years. Today, Venus is still identified as a high priority science target in NASA's Solar System Exploration Roadmap, and clearly fits scientific objectives of ESA's Cosmic Vision Program in addition to th…
Experiencing Venus: Clues to the origin, evolution, and chemistry of terrestrial planets via in-situ exploration of our sister world
Baines, Kevin H.; Crisp, David; Russell, Christopher T. +5 more
We review the current state of knowledge of (1) the origin and evolution of Venus and (2) the photochemical and thermochemical processes occurring in the middle and lower atmosphere there. For each, we review the promise of on-going and planned orbital observations by ESA's Venus Express and Japan's Venus Climate Orbiter missions. We review the ne…
Exploring Venus as a Terrestrial Planet
Esposito, Larry W.; Stofan, Ellen R.; Cravens, Thomas E.
With the search for extra-solar planets in full gear, it has become essential to gain a more detailed understanding of the evolution of the other earth-like planets in our own solar system. Space missions to Venus, including the Soviet Veneras, Pioneer Venus, and Magellan, provided a wealth of information about this planet' enigmatic surface and a…
Venus Express and terrestrial planet climatology
Taylor, Fredric W.; Svedhem, Håkan; Titov, Dmitri M.
After a delay of more than a decade, the exploration of Venus has resumed through the European Venus Express mission, now in orbit around the planet. The mission payload, its implementation in an elliptical polar orbit, and the science operations planned, all focus on outstanding problems associated with the atmosphere and climate of Venus. Many o…
Preface
Esposito, Larry W.; Stofan, Ellen R.; Cravens, Thomas E.
Venus has long been recognized as a sister planet to the Earth, as one of a triad of terrestrial planets with an atmosphere (Earth, Venus, Mars), and as a possible analogue for planets circling other stars. Its dense CO2 atmosphere has provided both a lesson and a warning in our understanding of the effects of greenhouse gases.
The…Exploring Venus: Major scientific issues and directions
Esposito, Larry W.; Stofan, Ellen R.; Cravens, Thomas E.
Venus has been a prime target of space exploration since the launch of Venera-1 in 1961. In 1962, Mariner 2 determined that the surface of Venus is hot, providing the first confirmation of its immense greenhouse effect. Venus has now been visited by numerous flybys, orbiters, atmospheric probes, landers, and balloons! Magellan's radar pierced the …
Radial and Latitudinal Variations of the Energetic Particle Response to ICMEs
Lario, D.
We present energetic particle observations during events in which the interplanetary counterpart of a single coronal mass ejection (ICME) has been observed by spacecraft widely separated in radial distance and latitude. The effects that ICMEs have on energetic particle intensities depend on (1) the ability of ICMEs to drive strong shocks able to a…