Venus

DAVINCI will send a meter-diameter probe to brave the high temperatures and pressures near Venus’ surface to explore the atmosphere from above the clouds to near the surface of a terrain that may have been a past continent. During its final kilometers of free-fall descent (artist’s impression shown here), the probe will capture spectacular images and chemistry measurements of the deepest atmosphere on Venus for the first time. Credit: NASA/GSFC/CI LabsInspired by the Renaissance vision of Leonardo da Vinci, <span…

In astrology, a red moon can often trigger an emotional tailspin. On the third album by Colombian American singer-songwriter Kali Uchis, she embraces these upheavals, delving into their effects on her love life. While her 2018 debut, Isolation, skipped between reggaetón, funk and bedroom pop, here Uchis couches her velveteen mood pieces in pillow-soft R&B, creating a suite of songs luxuriant enough to bathe in.The artwork for Red Moon in VenusThings start suitably mushy. Elegant lead single I Wish You Roses – its…

After Comet ZTF passed near Earth some 50000 years after its last trip, another rare celestial phenomenon is expected to take place today. A planetary conjunction involving Venus and Jupiter will take over the skies later today. Although both planets are already visible in the night sky this month, they will be extremely close in proximity. The Venus and Jupiter conjunction is a great chance for astronomers and skywatchers see an amazing event.If you do not want to miss this chance, know the details and how you can…

Artistic impression of VERITAS in orbit around Venus. Image: NASA/JPL-CaltechThere are no less than three missions to Venus in the works: VERITAS, DAVINCI, and EnVision. We’ve neglected Venus as a scientific target, but these missions should correct this oversight.There’s no launch date for NASA’s VERITAS, but this probe will study our evil twin from orbit to figure out why it became so inhospitable to life despite it being so similar to Earth in terms of size and composition. Conceptual image of the DAVINCI probe prior…

The night sky has been a happening place the last few weeks. Not only did Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon meet up earlier this month, but the two planets included in that group are also set to meet up once more within the next couple of days. In fact, those who head outside on March 1 will find Jupiter and Venus completing their monthly sky show with a big finale. The two planets have slowly been moving towards each other as each day has passed, with Venus slowly moving higher in the sky as Jupiter moves lower.…

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To call Venus a real oddball of a planet would be slightly understating the issue. It is so very similar to Earth – and yet at the same time as unlike Earth as one might expect an Earth-like planet to be.One of those differences is the Venusian lithosphere – the planet's hard, outer shell. On Earth, the lithosphere is fragmented and mobile, divided up into tectonic plates that help shape the planetary surface, all the while leaking heat from the planet's interior around their jagged edges.Venus's lithosphere, by…

One of the most exciting celestial events, the Venus and Jupiter conjunction is on. This is a rare planetary conjunction that has brought two or more planets closer together as viewed from Earth. Throughout the month of February, astronomers and skywatchers have been kept busy along with NASA and all of them have shared a images of the same.Today's NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day also features the view of Venus and Jupiter, but with an unusual ray of light extending from the horizon. What is it? NASA explained, it is…

Skywatchers have a rare opportunity at the beginning of March to catch the remarkable Jupiter and Venus conjunction. Both planets are already visible in the night sky this month, however, they are coming closer than before. NASA has confirmed that Jupiter and Venus are visible in the west after sunset. Now, the two planets are set to appear closer together each evening, as they head for conjunction on March 1. If you don't want to miss the chance to witness the rare occurrence of Venus and Jupiter Conjunction, then know…

How does the Earth lose its heat? NASA explained that the Earth's hot core heats the mantle which then transports the heat to the lithosphere, the outermost solid layer of rock. The heat is subsequently released into space, cooling the uppermost portion of the mantle. This circulation of the mantle, known as mantle convection, is responsible for driving tectonic processes on the surface and keeping the plates in motion. But the heat flow mechanism of Venus has been a mystery so far. The absence of tectonic plates on…