VENUS IN VISIBLE AND ULTRAVIOLET

140 light-seconds

This image of Venus is comprised of visible and ultraviolet light data detected by instruments on board the Venus Express spacecraft during its first orbit around the planet on 19 April 2006. In the illuminated region (blue colour) it is possible to see interesting stripe-like structures in the planet’s atmosphere. These may be due to the presence of dust and aerosols in the atmosphere, but their true nature is still unexplained.

Credit: ESA / VIRTIS / INAF-IASF / Obs.de Paris-LESIA.

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