Planetary Society logo
  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

Venus by Radar

Venus by Radar
Venus by Radar The thick, sulfuric-acid clouds of Venus hide its surface from conventional imaging techniques. Scientists have turned to cloud-piercing radar to "see" through to the surface. Soviet Venera and U.S. Pioneer orbiters returned radar data that scientists have compiled into images and maps of the planet's surface. Earth-based radar systems, such as the Arecibo Radio Telescope in Puerto Rico, can also be used to study Venus. Here is an Arecibo image of a region southeast of Lakshmi Planum in the northern hemisphere. Purples and blues represent smooth areas, while greens and yellows are rougher areas. Donal Campbell, Arecibo Observatory and Paul Fisher, Brown University