Venus is not called 'volcano planet' for nothing. It's surface is littered with volcanoes. The surface temperature is 450 degrees Celsius, not so pleasant for an astronaut. That Venus had volcanic activity on its surface was a known thing. But a new research has published a mindblowing map of volcanoes on the surface of Venus.

The research has been published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, as per a report by&nbsp;Sky News. According to this map, there are about 85,000 volcanoes on the surface of Venus. This number is about 50 per cent more than previously thought.

<img alt="Venus volcanic map" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e68f5ea8-c31d-410c-acd6-e5151f39e97f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Venus%20map.jpg" />

(Pic: Rebecca Hahn, Washington University in St Louis)

One look at the map above is enough to give you an idea, how cluttered the planet is with volcanoes. The triangles denote volcanoes of different sizes. Black dots are deformed volcanoes. Yellow squares are grouping of volcanoes in 'volcanic fields'.

The research concerned has been carried out by researchers from Washington University in St Louis. The data has been collected by NASA's Magellan spacecraft.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-observe-glowing-black-holes-in-colliding-galaxies-579793">Scientists observe glowing black holes in colliding galaxies</a>

The data has been available for quite some time. But it was analysed in a better way using latest software.

Paul Byrne, co-author of the study said the volcanic map was "the most comprehensive map of all volcanic edifices on Venus ever compiled". Byrne was quoted by Sky News.

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Venus is not called 'volcano planet' for nothing. It's surface is littered with volcanoes. The surface temperature is 450 degrees Celsius, not so pleasant for an astronaut.

Venus is not called 'volcano planet' for nothing. It's surface is littered with volcanoes. The surface temperature is 450 degrees Celsius, not so pleasant for an astronaut. That Venus had volcanic activity on its surface was a known thing. But a new research has published a mindblowing map of volcanoes on the surface of Venus. The research has been published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, as per a report by Sky News. According to this map, there are about 85,000 volcanoes on the surface of Venus. This number is about 50 per cent more than previously thought. (Pic: Rebecca Hahn, Washington University in St Louis) One look at the map above is enough to give you an idea, how cluttered the planet is with volcanoes. The triangles denote volcanoes of different sizes. Black dots are deformed volcanoes. Yellow squares are grouping of volcanoes in 'volcanic fields'. The research concerned has been carried out by researchers from Washington University in St Louis. The data has been collected by NASA's Magellan spacecraft. Also Read | Scientists observe glowing black holes in colliding galaxies The data has been available for quite some time. But it was analysed in a better way using latest software. Paul Byrne, co-author of the study said the volcanic map was "the most comprehensive map of all volcanic edifices on Venus ever compiled". Byrne was quoted by Sky News. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

This new volcanic map of Venus will blow your mind

Planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus aligned with the Moon forming an arc across Monday's evening sky, with some being clearly visible to the naked eye of humans.

Such an alignment is often termed "a planetary parade" and was visible to people after sunset in the west. Clear skies and a good view of the horizon gave people the best chance to see the alignment of planets.

Last summer, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mercury had come together in what was said to be a rare planetary conjunction. The best way to spot the planets in alignment on Monday was to travel away from the city's bright light to someplace with an unobstructed, clear view.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/rare-treat-for-skywatchers-all-solar-system-planets-visible-to-the-naked-eye-547558">Rare 'treat' for skywatchers: All solar system planets visible to the naked eye</a>

The planets needed to be spotted early in the evening because Jupiter and Mercury disappeared quickly over the horizon. People got some of the best views from Scotland's northern parts and its islands due to the clear skies.

Astronomer Royal for Scotland's Prof Catherine Heymans viewed the spectacle from Portobello beach in Edinburgh.

"Planet spotting on a crystal clear night along with so many other planetary parade enthusiasts was an absolute delight!" she said.

Royal Observatory Greenwich's astronomer Jake Foster said that such alignments of planets are very particular to the perspective we get from Earth.

"The planets aren't aligned right now, they are all spread out across the Solar System but just from our perspective, every once in a while they get close enough to each other in the sky that we're able to see quite a few at once," he added.

Anglesey, which is situated in north Wales, has some of Europe's darkest skies.

North Wales' dark skies officer Dani Robertson, speaking from Anglesey, said that evening was a visual treat even after a slight cloudy haze.

WATCH | Gravitas: The Earth has a hidden layer. Here's what it's called

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"I'm in my back garden and I can see a very nice little crescent Moon, to the top left and just above it I can see Mars, which has a lovely red glow, and a bit lower towards the horizon there's a really bright light and that's Venus. If it were clearer, I could see all of it, the only one you wouldn't be able to see is Uranus, you'd need a telescope,” she said.

Kielder Observatory's Dan Pye from Hexham, near Scotland's border, said that looking at the planets in alignment gave us a perspective about where are we placed in the solar system.

"Over the course of the night, the distance between these objects shifts as the moon goes around us, we move a little further around the sun, and the planets continue their journeys around the sun. I think witnessing this helps you realise that connection we have to the cosmic ballet we have with other objects in just our very local space theatre,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus aligned with the Moon forming an arc across Monday's evening sky, with some being clearly visible to the naked eye of humans.

Planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus aligned with the Moon forming an arc across Monday's evening sky, with some being clearly visible to the naked eye of humans. Such an alignment is often termed "a planetary parade" and was visible to people after sunset in the west. Clear skies and a good view of the horizon gave people the best chance to see the alignment of planets. Last summer, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mercury had come together in what was said to be a rare planetary conjunction. The best way to spot the planets in alignment on Monday was to travel away from the city's bright light to someplace with an unobstructed, clear view. ALSO READ | Rare 'treat' for skywatchers: All solar system planets visible to the naked eye The planets needed to be spotted early in the evening because Jupiter and Mercury disappeared quickly over the horizon. People got some of the best views from Scotland's northern parts and its islands due to the clear skies. Astronomer Royal for Scotland's Prof Catherine Heymans viewed the spectacle from Portobello beach in Edinburgh. "Planet spotting on a crystal clear night along with so many other planetary parade enthusiasts was an absolute delight!" she said. Royal Observatory Greenwich's astronomer Jake Foster said that such alignments of planets are very particular to the perspective we get from Earth. "The planets aren't aligned right now, they are all spread out across the Solar System but just from our perspective, every once in a while they get close enough to each other in the sky that we're able to see quite a few at once," he added. Anglesey, which is situated in north Wales, has some of Europe's darkest skies. North Wales' dark skies officer Dani Robertson, speaking from Anglesey, said that evening was a visual treat even after a slight cloudy haze. WATCH | Gravitas: The Earth has a hidden layer. Here's what it's called "I'm in my back garden and I can see a very nice little crescent Moon, to the top left and just above it I can see Mars, which has a lovely red glow, and a bit lower towards the horizon there's a really bright light and that's Venus. If it were clearer, I could see all of it, the only one you wouldn't be able to see is Uranus, you'd need a telescope,” she said. Kielder Observatory's Dan Pye from Hexham, near Scotland's border, said that looking at the planets in alignment gave us a perspective about where are we placed in the solar system. "Over the course of the night, the distance between these objects shifts as the moon goes around us, we move a little further around the sun, and the planets continue their journeys around the sun. I think witnessing this helps you realise that connection we have to the cosmic ballet we have with other objects in just our very local space theatre,” he said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Planetary Parade | Five planets come in rare alignment along with Moon in night sky

Scientists discovered evidence of active volcanoes on Venus, also known as Earth’s “twin”, while closely studying the archival images of the planet.

The images were captured by NASA Magellan spacecraft in the early 1990s while it was circling the planet.

A new analysis of the perspective of the orbiter of a region close to the Venusian equator revealed a volcanic vent which changed shape and increased in size in the period of eight months.

The images of the volcanic vent have become the first direct geological evidence found of recent volcanic activity on Venus, as per the researchers.

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On Wednesday, a study detailing the recent findings was published in the journal Science and the researchers presented it at the 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/celestial-dance-world-witnesses-moon-jupiter-and-venus-in-perfect-trifecta-across-skies-565316">Celestial dance | World witnesses Moon, Jupiter and Venus in perfect trifecta across skies</a>

The Magellan mission was the first one to take pictures of the entire surface of the planet before the spacecraft was plunged intentionally into the hot, toxic atmosphere of Venus in 1994 to gather a final set of data.

Now, a fleet of new missions will be sent to Venus within 10 years, which includes the Venus Emissivity, VERITAS, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy mission.

“NASA’s selection of the VERITAS mission inspired me to look for recent volcanic activity in Magellan data,” said Robert Herrick, lead study author, member of the VERITAS science team and research professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in a statement.

“I didn’t really expect to be successful, but after about 200 hours of manually comparing the images of different Magellan orbits, I saw two images of the same region taken eight months apart exhibiting telltale geological changes caused by an eruption,” he added.

The changes in the images of Atla Regio, which is a vast highland region and has the two largest volcanoes of Venus called Ozza Mons and Maat Mons, were spotted by Herrick.

WATCH | NASA discovers new exoplanet TOI 700 e 102 light years away

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“Both are similar to Earth’s largest volcanoes, but because they have lower slopes, the two Venusian volcanoes are more spread out,” he said.

“Only a couple of the simulations matched the imagery, and the most likely scenario is that volcanic activity occurred on Venus’ surface during Magellan’s mission. While this is just one data point for an entire planet, it confirms there is modern geological activity,” said Scott Hensley, project scientist for VERITAS.

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Scientists discovered evidence of active volcanoes on Venus, also known as Earth’s “twin”, while closely studying the archival images of the planet. The images were captured by NASA Magellan spacecraft in the early 1990s while it was circling the planet.

Scientists discovered evidence of active volcanoes on Venus, also known as Earth’s “twin”, while closely studying the archival images of the planet. The images were captured by NASA Magellan spacecraft in the early 1990s while it was circling the planet. A new analysis of the perspective of the orbiter of a region close to the Venusian equator revealed a volcanic vent which changed shape and increased in size in the period of eight months. The images of the volcanic vent have become the first direct geological evidence found of recent volcanic activity on Venus, as per the researchers. On Wednesday, a study detailing the recent findings was published in the journal Science and the researchers presented it at the 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas. ALSO READ | Celestial dance | World witnesses Moon, Jupiter and Venus in perfect trifecta across skies The Magellan mission was the first one to take pictures of the entire surface of the planet before the spacecraft was plunged intentionally into the hot, toxic atmosphere of Venus in 1994 to gather a final set of data. Now, a fleet of new missions will be sent to Venus within 10 years, which includes the Venus Emissivity, VERITAS, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy mission. “NASA’s selection of the VERITAS mission inspired me to look for recent volcanic activity in Magellan data,” said Robert Herrick, lead study author, member of the VERITAS science team and research professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in a statement. “I didn’t really expect to be successful, but after about 200 hours of manually comparing the images of different Magellan orbits, I saw two images of the same region taken eight months apart exhibiting telltale geological changes caused by an eruption,” he added. The changes in the images of Atla Regio, which is a vast highland region and has the two largest volcanoes of Venus called Ozza Mons and Maat Mons, were spotted by Herrick. WATCH | NASA discovers new exoplanet TOI 700 e 102 light years away “Both are similar to Earth’s largest volcanoes, but because they have lower slopes, the two Venusian volcanoes are more spread out,” he said. “Only a couple of the simulations matched the imagery, and the most likely scenario is that volcanic activity occurred on Venus’ surface during Magellan’s mission. While this is just one data point for an entire planet, it confirms there is modern geological activity,” said Scott Hensley, project scientist for VERITAS. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NASA's Magellan spacecraft images reveal active volcanoes on Venus

Do you wish to experience hellscape? No, not your usual life but a real one. If you harbour such superhero aspirations then go to Venus. Earth's other neighbour. Mars is such a passe. NASA has been landing rovers there for years and years. Venus can be your next adventure.

So as you descend on Venus you'll first encounter a super thick atmosphere that'll make landing tricky. This atmosphere is made of Sulphuric acid (Yep!). This is a big 'nope' already. And as you come out of whatever remains of your spacecraft to take a walk, you temperature sensors will tell you that the outside temperature is just 455 degrees Celsius! This is enough to melt lead.&nbsp;

Logic other than the bad travel brochure above would tell you that almost all space-faring machinery we use would be useless on Venus and won't last long.

But an initial step to overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds has been taken. Good ol' NASA has joined hands with Advanced Thermal Batteries, Inc (ATB) and has made batteries capable of withstanding mind-melting temper(ature) of the planet a certain book claims women have come from.

Humanity has already navigated a craft to Venus. The Soviets did that but the craft lasted only for two hours on Venus.

But these new batteries may help us powering future spacecrafts to Venus without melting away.

These batteries have been made using specifically designed chemistry and structural materials. The batteries would last 120 earth days.

"This recent battery technology demonstration, with improved architecture and low self-discharge electrochemistry, is a huge accomplishment that many may have not thought possible," said Dr Kevin Wepasnick, ATB Project Engineer, in a NASA press release.

So would we see billionaire flocking to Venus anytime soon? Not till we invent some super-heavy duty air conditioners it would appear.&nbsp;

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Do you wish to experience hellscape? No, not your usual life but a real one. If you harbour such superhero aspirations then go to Venus. Earth's other neighbour.

Do you wish to experience hellscape? No, not your usual life but a real one. If you harbour such superhero aspirations then go to Venus. Earth's other neighbour. Mars is such a passe. NASA has been landing rovers there for years and years. Venus can be your next adventure. So as you descend on Venus you'll first encounter a super thick atmosphere that'll make landing tricky. This atmosphere is made of Sulphuric acid (Yep!). This is a big 'nope' already. And as you come out of whatever remains of your spacecraft to take a walk, you temperature sensors will tell you that the outside temperature is just 455 degrees Celsius! This is enough to melt lead. Logic other than the bad travel brochure above would tell you that almost all space-faring machinery we use would be useless on Venus and won't last long. But an initial step to overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds has been taken. Good ol' NASA has joined hands with Advanced Thermal Batteries, Inc (ATB) and has made batteries capable of withstanding mind-melting temper(ature) of the planet a certain book claims women have come from. Humanity has already navigated a craft to Venus. The Soviets did that but the craft lasted only for two hours on Venus. But these new batteries may help us powering future spacecrafts to Venus without melting away. These batteries have been made using specifically designed chemistry and structural materials. The batteries would last 120 earth days. "This recent battery technology demonstration, with improved architecture and low self-discharge electrochemistry, is a huge accomplishment that many may have not thought possible," said Dr Kevin Wepasnick, ATB Project Engineer, in a NASA press release. So would we see billionaire flocking to Venus anytime soon? Not till we invent some super-heavy duty air conditioners it would appear. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

You will melt on Venus, but this battery won't

On Wednesday, astronomy buffs witnessed what experts regard as a rare astronomical event where all the planets in the solar system were visible in the night sky.&nbsp;

In the Northern Hemisphere, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars could be seen with the naked eye. While, the two outermost planets, Uranus and Neptune could be seen using binoculars or telescopes and would be visible until the end of the year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/china-develops-lobster-eye-telescope-to-scan-the-murky-depths-of-the-universe-547044">China develops 'lobster eye' telescope to scan the murky depths of the universe</a>

Such "grand tours" as per Space happen roughly once every one or two years.&nbsp;

As per Guardian, all eight planets appeared only 1.5 degrees apart on Wednesday night and will reach their closest point or conjunction today (Thursday, December 29) at 2100 GMT (0230 IST).

Watch |&nbsp;NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence

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Talking to Newsweek, Gianluca Masi, an astronomer with the Virtual Telescope Project in Italy, said "These nights, we can see all the planets of our solar system at a glance, soon after sunset. It happens from time to time, but it is always a spectacular sight."

In June, skywatchers were treated to a similar but rarer alignment of five planets, where Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were arranged in an alignment the likes of which hadn't occurred in about 150 years, or since 1864.

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Wednesday, astronomy buffs witnessed what experts regard as a rare astronomical event where all the planets in the solar system were visible in the night sky.

On Wednesday, astronomy buffs witnessed what experts regard as a rare astronomical event where all the planets in the solar system were visible in the night sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars could be seen with the naked eye. While, the two outermost planets, Uranus and Neptune could be seen using binoculars or telescopes and would be visible until the end of the year. Also read | China develops 'lobster eye' telescope to scan the murky depths of the universe Such "grand tours" as per Space happen roughly once every one or two years. As per Guardian, all eight planets appeared only 1.5 degrees apart on Wednesday night and will reach their closest point or conjunction today (Thursday, December 29) at 2100 GMT (0230 IST). Watch | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence Talking to Newsweek, Gianluca Masi, an astronomer with the Virtual Telescope Project in Italy, said "These nights, we can see all the planets of our solar system at a glance, soon after sunset. It happens from time to time, but it is always a spectacular sight." In June, skywatchers were treated to a similar but rarer alignment of five planets, where Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were arranged in an alignment the likes of which hadn't occurred in about 150 years, or since 1864. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rare 'treat' for skywatchers: All solar system planets visible to the naked eye

While Mars is the intended target for humanity's first crewed mission to another planet, a group of experts is now advocating for Earth's sister planet Venus to get that accolade.

However, the planet is practically burning up. It is hot enough to melt lead, is home to clouds of sulphuric acid, a chemical capable of causing severe skin burns, and has a crushing atmospheric pressure.&nbsp;

Why then, do these experts want to forego Mars and visit Venus?

As per a report by the Guardian quoting research presented at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris last week, there are actually plus points to this.

Watch |&nbsp;Expanding problem of space debris: What is space junk? Why is it a problem?

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Firstly, Venus is nearer. While a roundtrip to Mars is estimated to take around three years, to and fro Venus would only take one year.

Second, while walking on the planet's surface is a distant dream, and an unlivable experience, a flyby might offer the essential experience of a lengthy deep-space mission as a prelude to reaching Mars.

One of the supporters of the Venus flyby, Dr Noam Izenberg of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, claimed that Venus "gets a bad rap because it's got such a difficult surface environment."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/humans-yet-to-set-foot-on-mars-yet-the-red-planet-is-already-littered-with-7000-kgs-of-our-trash-519541" hreflang="en">Humans yet to set foot on Mars, but the red planet is already 'littered' with 7000 kg of our trash</a>

"Moon to Mars is the current NASA paradigm," he said adding that they're attempting to justify Venus as an additional objective along that route.&nbsp;He says that a Venus flyby makes sense as performing a slingshot or gravity assist around Earth's sister planet, could shorten the journey time and fuel needed to reach the red planet despite the fact that Venus is in the "wrong" direction.

However, not everyone is sold on the idea.&nbsp;

“It’s really not a nice place to go. It’s a hellish environment and the thermal challenges for a human mission would be quite considerable,” says Prof. Andrew Coates of UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-captures-mid-boggling-photo-of-ufo-like-object-on-mars-take-a-look-474921">NASA captures mind-boggling photo of UFO-like object on Mars. Take a look!</a>

He claimed that although Venus was rightfully the focus of scientific inquiry, "a human flyby really wouldn't add very much."

Since the discovery of hundreds of exoplanets, scientific curiosity about Venus has grown as the finding raises the question of how many of these planets may be habitable. Now, scientists want to know how and why Venus, a planet so similar to our own in size, mass, and distance from the sun, ended up with hellish surface conditions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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While Mars is the intended target for humanity's first crewed mission to another planet, a group of experts is now advocating for Earth's sister planet Venus to get that accolade.

While Mars is the intended target for humanity's first crewed mission to another planet, a group of experts is now advocating for Earth's sister planet Venus to get that accolade. However, the planet is practically burning up. It is hot enough to melt lead, is home to clouds of sulphuric acid, a chemical capable of causing severe skin burns, and has a crushing atmospheric pressure. Why then, do these experts want to forego Mars and visit Venus? As per a report by the Guardian quoting research presented at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris last week, there are actually plus points to this. Watch | Expanding problem of space debris: What is space junk? Why is it a problem? Firstly, Venus is nearer. While a roundtrip to Mars is estimated to take around three years, to and fro Venus would only take one year. Second, while walking on the planet's surface is a distant dream, and an unlivable experience, a flyby might offer the essential experience of a lengthy deep-space mission as a prelude to reaching Mars. One of the supporters of the Venus flyby, Dr Noam Izenberg of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, claimed that Venus "gets a bad rap because it's got such a difficult surface environment." Also read | Humans yet to set foot on Mars, but the red planet is already 'littered' with 7000 kg of our trash "Moon to Mars is the current NASA paradigm," he said adding that they're attempting to justify Venus as an additional objective along that route. He says that a Venus flyby makes sense as performing a slingshot or gravity assist around Earth's sister planet, could shorten the journey time and fuel needed to reach the red planet despite the fact that Venus is in the "wrong" direction. However, not everyone is sold on the idea. “It’s really not a nice place to go. It’s a hellish environment and the thermal challenges for a human mission would be quite considerable,” says Prof. Andrew Coates of UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory. Also read | NASA captures mind-boggling photo of UFO-like object on Mars. Take a look! He claimed that although Venus was rightfully the focus of scientific inquiry, "a human flyby really wouldn't add very much." Since the discovery of hundreds of exoplanets, scientific curiosity about Venus has grown as the finding raises the question of how many of these planets may be habitable. Now, scientists want to know how and why Venus, a planet so similar to our own in size, mass, and distance from the sun, ended up with hellish surface conditions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Men are from Mars, women are from Venus', which planet should humans visit first?

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently announced the successful test of a supersonic 'Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator' (IAD). The IAD was indigenously designed by ISRO's lead facility, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre(VSSC), and was realised by the Indian industry. WION spoke to Dr S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, regarding the significance of this test; what went into the making, and the potential this technology holds.

Traditionally, rocket scientists think of ways and means to have their rockets travel faster and do so more efficiently. However, when it comes to performing interplanetary missions and recovering spent rocket stages(re-usability), it is crucial to slow down a rocket/spacecraft. The rocket stages that are re-entering earth's atmosphere travel at supersonic speeds and spacecraft entering other planets travel at hypersonic speeds.

The commonly used technology to slow down a descending spacecraft/rocket is the firing of a retro-rocket. Simply put, when a rocket is on the ground its engines are fired to lift it off and it functions like a typical rocket. In the case of re-entry, the rocket is travelling at high speeds owing to the energy added by its propulsion system and gravitational pull on its mass.&nbsp;

So, the same engines used for lift-off are fired again to slow it down to a suitable speed for landing. The IAD aims to do something similar without firing rocket engines. It just uses friction or aerodynamic drag.

"IAD is an inflatable structure made of kevlar fabric, coated with Polychloroprene. As the IAD is made of fabric, it can be packed into a small volume of 15litres and can be packed into the nosecone of RH300 rocket (which was used for the test). Once the test rocket reaches an altitude of about 84kilometre, the IAD is deployed and begins to slow down the rocket body(the component known as the payload part) as it undergoes atmospheric re-entry and finally splashes down in the sea" explained Dr Nair.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/isro-pslv-to-be-entirely-made-by-industry-513462">ISRO PSLV to be entirely made by industry</a>

He added that the inflation of the IAD was carried out by compressed nitrogen gas stored in a gas bottle. Once the IAD falls into the sea, it is deflated by firing a pyro valve to prevent it from floating and thereby causing any harm to sea vehicles.&nbsp;

Notably, this is the first time that an IAD is designed specifically for spent stage recovery. The IAD has huge potential in a variety of space applications like recovery of spent stages of the rocket, landing payloads on Mars or Venus, and making space habitats for human space flight missions.

"This demonstration opens a gateway for cost effective spent stage recovery using the IAD technology. This technology can also be used in ISRO's future missions to Venus and Mars" said Dr S Somanath, Chairman ISRO, and Secretary DOS, who witnessed the successful launch.

Read more<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/emirates-mars-mission-discovers-new-patchy-proton-aurora-on-red-planet-512368">:&nbsp;Emirates Mars Mission discovers new 'patchy' Proton Aurora on the red planet</a>

Queried about the scalability of the IAD and the possibility of guided landings, Dr Nair said that it can be scaled up to recover even a spent rocket stage.&nbsp;

"It can be used to systematically decelerate a re-entering vehicle by gradually inflating the decelerator. As such, the IAD is not guided. For sea landing precise guidance is not a must. By suitably sizing the IAD, the need for a retro rocket can be avoided for spent stages of vehicle first stage, where energy of spent stage is comparatively less." said Dr Nair before adding that we are yet to do a scaled-up design.&nbsp;

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The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently announced the successful test of a supersonic 'Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator' (IAD). The IAD was indigenously designed by ISRO's lead facility, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre(VSSC), and was realised by the Indian industry.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently announced the successful test of a supersonic 'Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator' (IAD). The IAD was indigenously designed by ISRO's lead facility, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre(VSSC), and was realised by the Indian industry. WION spoke to Dr S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, regarding the significance of this test; what went into the making, and the potential this technology holds. Traditionally, rocket scientists think of ways and means to have their rockets travel faster and do so more efficiently. However, when it comes to performing interplanetary missions and recovering spent rocket stages(re-usability), it is crucial to slow down a rocket/spacecraft. The rocket stages that are re-entering earth's atmosphere travel at supersonic speeds and spacecraft entering other planets travel at hypersonic speeds. The commonly used technology to slow down a descending spacecraft/rocket is the firing of a retro-rocket. Simply put, when a rocket is on the ground its engines are fired to lift it off and it functions like a typical rocket. In the case of re-entry, the rocket is travelling at high speeds owing to the energy added by its propulsion system and gravitational pull on its mass. So, the same engines used for lift-off are fired again to slow it down to a suitable speed for landing. The IAD aims to do something similar without firing rocket engines. It just uses friction or aerodynamic drag. "IAD is an inflatable structure made of kevlar fabric, coated with Polychloroprene. As the IAD is made of fabric, it can be packed into a small volume of 15litres and can be packed into the nosecone of RH300 rocket (which was used for the test). Once the test rocket reaches an altitude of about 84kilometre, the IAD is deployed and begins to slow down the rocket body(the component known as the payload part) as it undergoes atmospheric re-entry and finally splashes down in the sea" explained Dr Nair. Read more: ISRO PSLV to be entirely made by industry He added that the inflation of the IAD was carried out by compressed nitrogen gas stored in a gas bottle. Once the IAD falls into the sea, it is deflated by firing a pyro valve to prevent it from floating and thereby causing any harm to sea vehicles. Notably, this is the first time that an IAD is designed specifically for spent stage recovery. The IAD has huge potential in a variety of space applications like recovery of spent stages of the rocket, landing payloads on Mars or Venus, and making space habitats for human space flight missions. "This demonstration opens a gateway for cost effective spent stage recovery using the IAD technology. This technology can also be used in ISRO's future missions to Venus and Mars" said Dr S Somanath, Chairman ISRO, and Secretary DOS, who witnessed the successful launch. Read more: Emirates Mars Mission discovers new 'patchy' Proton Aurora on the red planet Queried about the scalability of the IAD and the possibility of guided landings, Dr Nair said that it can be scaled up to recover even a spent rocket stage. "It can be used to systematically decelerate a re-entering vehicle by gradually inflating the decelerator. As such, the IAD is not guided. For sea landing precise guidance is not a must. By suitably sizing the IAD, the need for a retro rocket can be avoided for spent stages of vehicle first stage, where energy of spent stage is comparatively less." said Dr Nair before adding that we are yet to do a scaled-up design. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

ISRO: Indigenously designed and developed supersonic decelerator test successful

Search for alien life has been of interest for centuries. Movies and books are full of alien attacks on Earth. Mars has always been in focus for alien life. But our other neighbour Venus needs a good look as well.

Is there life on Venus? Here's what Cambridge University researchers say

Search for extraterrestrial life is a fascinating endevour. While popular image of aliens has them having tentacles and big eyes etc, even microbes on another planet can be called aliens. While our search for aliens has us focussing our lenses towards distant reaches of space, we are keen on finding proof in our Solar System as well. Mars and Venus, our neighbours are among prime candidates in this regard.

But now, Cambridege University researchers have said that unusal behaviour of Sulphur in the atmosphere of Venus can't beb explained by 'aerial' form of extra-terrestrial life. There has been a speculation for decades that Veuns harbours microbial life among its Sulphurous clouds.&nbsp;

Any life form in sufficient abundance is expected to leave chemical fingerprints on a planet's atmosphere as it consumes food and expels waste. However, the Cambridge researchers found no evidence of these fingerprints on Venus.

Even if Venus is devoid of life, the researchers say their results, reported in the journal Nature Communications, could be useful for studying the atmospheres of similar planets throughout the galaxy, and the eventual detection of life outside our Solar System.

"We've spent the past two years trying to explain the weird sulphur chemistry we see in the clouds of Venus," said co-author Dr Paul Rimmer from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences. "Life is pretty good at weird chemistry, so we've been studying whether there's a way to make life a potential explanation for what we see."

To arrive at their conclusion, researchers used atmospheric and biochemical models to study chemical reactions that are expected to occur on Venus.

"We looked at the sulphur-based 'food' available in the Venusian atmosphere -- it's not anything you or I would want to eat, but it is the main available energy source," said Sean Jordan from Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy, the paper's first author. "If that food is being consumed by life, we should see evidence of that through specific chemicals being lost and gained in the atmosphere."

"If life is present, it must be affecting the atmospheric chemistry," said co-author Dr Oliver Shorttle from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences and Institute of Astronomy. "Could life be the reason that SO2 levels on Venus get reduced so much?"

"We wanted life to be a potential explanation, but when we ran the models, it isn't a viable solution. But if life isn't responsible for what we see on Venus, it's still a problem to be solved -- there's lots of strange chemistry to follow up on," said Sean Jordan

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Search for extraterrestrial life is a fascinating endevour. While popular image of aliens has them having tentacles and big eyes etc, even microbes on another planet can be called aliens.

Search for extraterrestrial life is a fascinating endevour. While popular image of aliens has them having tentacles and big eyes etc, even microbes on another planet can be called aliens. While our search for aliens has us focussing our lenses towards distant reaches of space, we are keen on finding proof in our Solar System as well. Mars and Venus, our neighbours are among prime candidates in this regard. But now, Cambridege University researchers have said that unusal behaviour of Sulphur in the atmosphere of Venus can't beb explained by 'aerial' form of extra-terrestrial life. There has been a speculation for decades that Veuns harbours microbial life among its Sulphurous clouds. Any life form in sufficient abundance is expected to leave chemical fingerprints on a planet's atmosphere as it consumes food and expels waste. However, the Cambridge researchers found no evidence of these fingerprints on Venus. Even if Venus is devoid of life, the researchers say their results, reported in the journal Nature Communications, could be useful for studying the atmospheres of similar planets throughout the galaxy, and the eventual detection of life outside our Solar System. "We've spent the past two years trying to explain the weird sulphur chemistry we see in the clouds of Venus," said co-author Dr Paul Rimmer from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences. "Life is pretty good at weird chemistry, so we've been studying whether there's a way to make life a potential explanation for what we see." To arrive at their conclusion, researchers used atmospheric and biochemical models to study chemical reactions that are expected to occur on Venus. "We looked at the sulphur-based 'food' available in the Venusian atmosphere -- it's not anything you or I would want to eat, but it is the main available energy source," said Sean Jordan from Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy, the paper's first author. "If that food is being consumed by life, we should see evidence of that through specific chemicals being lost and gained in the atmosphere." "If life is present, it must be affecting the atmospheric chemistry," said co-author Dr Oliver Shorttle from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences and Institute of Astronomy. "Could life be the reason that SO2 levels on Venus get reduced so much?" "We wanted life to be a potential explanation, but when we ran the models, it isn't a viable solution. But if life isn't responsible for what we see on Venus, it's still a problem to be solved -- there's lots of strange chemistry to follow up on," said Sean Jordan (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

India is going to Venus! After its trips to the Moon and Mars, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) wants to discover the mysteries of the hottest planet. Venus is a complex planet due to its dense atmosphere and surface activity. The air pressure on the surface of Venus is extremely high. About 90 times greater than the pressure at sea level on Earth. Several features of Venus make it stand out amongst the other planets of the Solar System. Here's wishing ISRO a successful mission, which is likely to take place in 2025.

India is going to Venus! hottest planet's mysteries will be revealed soon

Venus has often been called Earth’s twin because of the similarities when it comes to both size and density. However, even though there are some things that are similar, the two planets vary a lot from each other. As a result, the study of Venus can help scientists in understanding a lot about Earth as well and that is what makes NASA’s DAVINCI mission extremely important. The Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging mission (DAVINCI) will be launched in 2029 and will determine whether the planet can be suitable for humans. The mission involves a meter-diameter probe that will be understanding its chemical composition.

The mission is scheduled to launch in June 2029 and enter the Venus' atmosphere in June 2031.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-ruins-of-hidden-3400-year-old-city-found-after-severe-drought-in-iraq-485639" hreflang="en">In pics - Ruins of hidden 3,400-year-old city found after severe drought in Iraq</a>

According to a new paper, the DAVINCI mission will be studying Venus from the clouds to the surface, and it will be storing atmospheric gases at various altitudes for data collection purposes.

This will be the first mission to study the atmosphere in Venus and the paper stated that the probe used in the mission will be acting like a flying analytical chemistry laboratory.&nbsp; The atmospheric gases and pictures taken during the mission will be analysed to understand the gas composition of Venus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-marine-life-in-newly-explored-antarctic-river-deep-beneath-the-ice-485606" hreflang="en">In pics - Marine life in newly explored Antarctic river deep beneath the ice</a>

"Understanding how much oxygen is contained in Venus' atmosphere will be important in preparation for characterizing Venus-like worlds beyond our solar system with the JWST and future observatories. How much oxygen Venus has in its deepest atmosphere will help scientists study these remote worlds," NASA said in a statement.

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Venus has often been called Earth’s twin because of the similarities when it comes to both size and density. However, even though there are some things that are similar, the two planets vary a lot from each other.

Venus has often been called Earth’s twin because of the similarities when it comes to both size and density. However, even though there are some things that are similar, the two planets vary a lot from each other. As a result, the study of Venus can help scientists in understanding a lot about Earth as well and that is what makes NASA’s DAVINCI mission extremely important. The Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging mission (DAVINCI) will be launched in 2029 and will determine whether the planet can be suitable for humans. The mission involves a meter-diameter probe that will be understanding its chemical composition. The mission is scheduled to launch in June 2029 and enter the Venus' atmosphere in June 2031. Also read | In pics - Ruins of hidden 3,400-year-old city found after severe drought in Iraq According to a new paper, the DAVINCI mission will be studying Venus from the clouds to the surface, and it will be storing atmospheric gases at various altitudes for data collection purposes. This will be the first mission to study the atmosphere in Venus and the paper stated that the probe used in the mission will be acting like a flying analytical chemistry laboratory. The atmospheric gases and pictures taken during the mission will be analysed to understand the gas composition of Venus. Also read | In pics - Marine life in newly explored Antarctic river deep beneath the ice "Understanding how much oxygen is contained in Venus' atmosphere will be important in preparation for characterizing Venus-like worlds beyond our solar system with the JWST and future observatories. How much oxygen Venus has in its deepest atmosphere will help scientists study these remote worlds," NASA said in a statement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Can Venus sustain life? NASA's DAVINCI mission to study the planet's atmosphere

In what can be called a rare celestial spectacle, the solar system’s two brightest planets, Jupiter and Venus, will appear to collide with each other this weekend, said media reports. &nbsp;

But they will actually be millions of miles apart in space. &nbsp;

On Earth, they will appear as if they are going to collide. This planetary conjunction, however, occurs once a year. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/revisiting-prehistoric-era-fossils-of-3-ichthyosaurs-including-giant-tooth-found-in-swiss-alps-says-study-474679" hreflang="en">Revisiting prehistoric era: Fossils of 3 ichthyosaurs including giant tooth found in Swiss Alps, says study</a>

These planets will look much closer to stargazers than usual this year. This time, they would also be visible with a pair of binoculars or the naked eye. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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On the morning of April 30th, Jupiter and Venus will appear to collide in the sky as both planets merge into one spectacular glow. Despite looking very close together, the two planets are very far apart in space. Venus is closer to the sun than Earth and Jupiter is farther out. <a href="https://t.co/BIFALMqMnA">pic.twitter.com/BIFALMqMnA</a>
— Rev. Dr. Michael T Santini (@michaeltsantini) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaeltsantini/status/1519760368104398848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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What makes it more special is the fact that with these planets, Saturn and Mars will appear to form a straight line. &nbsp;

You may not want to miss it this year as otherwise you will have to wait for another 17 years for it. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Low-cost bionic prosthetics arm equipped with sensors is transforming lives

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So, this would be an extraordinary planetary conjunction, which will be hard to miss. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“Although Venus and Jupiter get close to one another every few years, this time there is also Mars and Saturn in the mix which is pretty rare. If you have a telescope, a pair of binoculars or a decent camera, then you’ll get an even better view,” Brad Tucker, astrophysicist, Australian National University told the Guardian. &nbsp;

“The planets will differ in their brightness. Venus is brighter than Jupiter so it will look dazzlingly bright when you see it. Jupiter will be slightly fainter, about one-sixth of the brightness of Venus,” Prof Lucie Green, chief stargazer, Society for Popular Astronomy told BBC News. &nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

In what can be called a rare celestial spectacle, the solar system’s two brightest planets, Jupiter and Venus, will appear to collide with each other this weekend, said media reports.

In what can be called a rare celestial spectacle, the solar system’s two brightest planets, Jupiter and Venus, will appear to collide with each other this weekend, said media reports. But they will actually be millions of miles apart in space. On Earth, they will appear as if they are going to collide. This planetary conjunction, however, occurs once a year. Also Read | Revisiting prehistoric era: Fossils of 3 ichthyosaurs including giant tooth found in Swiss Alps, says study These planets will look much closer to stargazers than usual this year. This time, they would also be visible with a pair of binoculars or the naked eye. On the morning of April 30th, Jupiter and Venus will appear to collide in the sky as both planets merge into one spectacular glow. Despite looking very close together, the two planets are very far apart in space. Venus is closer to the sun than Earth and Jupiter is farther out. pic.twitter.com/BIFALMqMnA — Rev. Dr. Michael T Santini (@michaeltsantini) April 28, 2022 × What makes it more special is the fact that with these planets, Saturn and Mars will appear to form a straight line. You may not want to miss it this year as otherwise you will have to wait for another 17 years for it. Watch: Low-cost bionic prosthetics arm equipped with sensors is transforming lives × So, this would be an extraordinary planetary conjunction, which will be hard to miss. “Although Venus and Jupiter get close to one another every few years, this time there is also Mars and Saturn in the mix which is pretty rare. If you have a telescope, a pair of binoculars or a decent camera, then you’ll get an even better view,” Brad Tucker, astrophysicist, Australian National University told the Guardian. “The planets will differ in their brightness. Venus is brighter than Jupiter so it will look dazzlingly bright when you see it. Jupiter will be slightly fainter, about one-sixth of the brightness of Venus,” Prof Lucie Green, chief stargazer, Society for Popular Astronomy told BBC News. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

Rare celestial spectacle: Jupiter, Venus to appear to collide with each other, form line with Saturn, Mars

A treat for the stargazers!&nbsp;

An alignment of four planets in our solar system will appear in the sky this month, a rare phenomenon that attracts skywatchers and space enthusiasts who are keen to witness various celestial events.&nbsp;

The planetary alignment of Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter can be seen not only using telescopes but will be visible to the naked eye.&nbsp;

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said, "By mid-month, Jupiter is starting to rise in the pre-dawn hour, making for a quartet of planets, strung out in a line across the morning sky."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-blasted-mercury-with-a-plasma-wave-what-does-it-mean-for-mercurys-atmosphere-471736">Sun blasted Mercury with a plasma wave. What does it mean for Mercury's atmosphere?</a>

The space agency stated that at the start of the month of April, Saturn appeared to move toward Mars each day with Venus, Mars and Saturn forming a trio in the southeast before sunrise.&nbsp;

Later, by the mid-month, NASA said that Jupiter started to rise in the pre-dawn hour. The movement made for a quartet of planets seen is a line across the morning sky.&nbsp;

The rare sighting will be easily observed when Jupiter will be high enough above the horizon in the hour before sunrise.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/machine-learning-approach-might-predict-risk-factors-of-conduct-disorder-in-kids-study-471724">Machine-learning approach might predict risk factors of conduct disorder in kids: Study</a>

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Sky chart showing the close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter before sunrise on April 30. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

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In a report, NASA revealed: "At the beginning of the month, Mars, Venus and Saturn were all visible in the early morning. Now, the trio are joined by Jupiter, and the four planets can be seen by the naked eye in a straight line for the rest of April, as long as city lights don't intrude."&nbsp;

NASA revealed that the reason for the rare occurrence is that all of the planet's orbits around the sun lining up. Meanwhile, the space agency also stated that Venus' orbit around the sun is 225 Earth days, while Saturn's is 29 years.&nbsp;

The conjunction can be seen across the world in the predawn hours of the morning by looking east or toward the sunrise, NASA informed.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;10 things about China's recent space mission

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&nbsp;

A treat for the stargazers! An alignment of four planets in our solar system will appear in the sky this month, a rare phenomenon that attracts skywatchers and space enthusiasts who are keen to witness various celestial events.

A treat for the stargazers! An alignment of four planets in our solar system will appear in the sky this month, a rare phenomenon that attracts skywatchers and space enthusiasts who are keen to witness various celestial events. The planetary alignment of Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter can be seen not only using telescopes but will be visible to the naked eye. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said, "By mid-month, Jupiter is starting to rise in the pre-dawn hour, making for a quartet of planets, strung out in a line across the morning sky." ALSO READ | Sun blasted Mercury with a plasma wave. What does it mean for Mercury's atmosphere? The space agency stated that at the start of the month of April, Saturn appeared to move toward Mars each day with Venus, Mars and Saturn forming a trio in the southeast before sunrise. Later, by the mid-month, NASA said that Jupiter started to rise in the pre-dawn hour. The movement made for a quartet of planets seen is a line across the morning sky. The rare sighting will be easily observed when Jupiter will be high enough above the horizon in the hour before sunrise. ALSO READ | Machine-learning approach might predict risk factors of conduct disorder in kids: Study Sky chart showing the close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter before sunrise on April 30. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech × In a report, NASA revealed: "At the beginning of the month, Mars, Venus and Saturn were all visible in the early morning. Now, the trio are joined by Jupiter, and the four planets can be seen by the naked eye in a straight line for the rest of April, as long as city lights don't intrude." NASA revealed that the reason for the rare occurrence is that all of the planet's orbits around the sun lining up. Meanwhile, the space agency also stated that Venus' orbit around the sun is 225 Earth days, while Saturn's is 29 years. The conjunction can be seen across the world in the predawn hours of the morning by looking east or toward the sunrise, NASA informed. WATCH | 10 things about China's recent space mission ×

Rare sighting as alignment of four planets will be visible through April. Here's how to watch it

A video and some pictures of the surface of Venus have been released by NASA. These were taken last year by the Parker Solar Probe on a flyby. &nbsp;

The first images of this kind may help in learning more about the most earth-like planet in the solar system, the scientists said. &nbsp;

In 2020 and 2021, the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) of the US space agency took the images on two flybys of Venus. But&nbsp;its&nbsp;full analysis&nbsp;was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on Wednesday. It was also announced on NASA’s website. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/just-rocks-or-dinosaur-eggs-archaeologists-discover-mystery-objects-in-this-indian-state-452072" hreflang="en">Just rocks or dinosaur eggs? Archaeologists discover mystery objects in this Indian state</a>

Brian Wood, physicist, Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, who was also the lead author of the study, said, “Venus is the third brightest thing in the sky, but until recently we have not had much information on what the surface looked like because our view of it is blocked by a thick atmosphere. Now, we finally are seeing the surface in visible wavelengths for the first time from space.” &nbsp;

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Parker Solar Probe has taken its first visible light images of the surface of Venus from space! 📸 
 
The planet is smothered in thick clouds, but during recent flybys of the planet Parker’s cameras peered through to see the surface: <a href="https://t.co/FNWNLwVSNI">https://t.co/FNWNLwVSNI</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VisionsOfVenus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VisionsOfVenus</a> <a href="https://t.co/itp1tcB4YN">pic.twitter.com/itp1tcB4YN</a>
— NASA Sun &amp; Space (@NASASun) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASun/status/1491442092526215170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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According to NASA, the probe revealed “a faint glow from the surface that shows distinctive features like continental regions, plains, and plateaus,” while a “luminescent halo of oxygen in the atmosphere can also be seen surrounding the planet.” &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/impact-on-spaceflight-missions-spacex-starlink-satellite-under-nasa-lens-451973" hreflang="en">'Impact on spaceflight missions': SpaceX Starlink satellite under NASA lens</a>

The probe used a spectrum, which ranged from 470-800 nanometers, approaching infrared, to catch the glow caused by the excessive heat on the surface of the planet. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Join us live!<a href="https://t.co/ZETtBG2kor">https://t.co/ZETtBG2kor</a> 
 
Parker Solar Probe’s just-released images of Venus — the first visible light images of the planet’s surface from space: <a href="https://t.co/gDLOXOYXxL">pic.twitter.com/gDLOXOYXxL</a>
— NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAGoddard/status/1491807424801501186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“The surface of Venus, even on the nightside, is about 860 degrees,” Wood said, using the Fahrenheit scale. “It's so hot that the rocky surface of Venus is visibly glowing, like a piece of iron pulled from a forge.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A video and some pictures of the surface of Venus have been released by NASA. These were taken last year by the Parker Solar Probe on a flyby. The first images of this kind may help in learning more about the most earth-like planet in the solar system, the scientists said.

A video and some pictures of the surface of Venus have been released by NASA. These were taken last year by the Parker Solar Probe on a flyby. The first images of this kind may help in learning more about the most earth-like planet in the solar system, the scientists said. In 2020 and 2021, the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) of the US space agency took the images on two flybys of Venus. But its full analysis was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on Wednesday. It was also announced on NASA’s website. Also Read: Just rocks or dinosaur eggs? Archaeologists discover mystery objects in this Indian state Brian Wood, physicist, Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, who was also the lead author of the study, said, “Venus is the third brightest thing in the sky, but until recently we have not had much information on what the surface looked like because our view of it is blocked by a thick atmosphere. Now, we finally are seeing the surface in visible wavelengths for the first time from space.” Parker Solar Probe has taken its first visible light images of the surface of Venus from space! 📸 The planet is smothered in thick clouds, but during recent flybys of the planet Parker’s cameras peered through to see the surface: https://t.co/FNWNLwVSNI#VisionsOfVenus pic.twitter.com/itp1tcB4YN — NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) February 9, 2022 × According to NASA, the probe revealed “a faint glow from the surface that shows distinctive features like continental regions, plains, and plateaus,” while a “luminescent halo of oxygen in the atmosphere can also be seen surrounding the planet.” Also Read | 'Impact on spaceflight missions': SpaceX Starlink satellite under NASA lens The probe used a spectrum, which ranged from 470-800 nanometers, approaching infrared, to catch the glow caused by the excessive heat on the surface of the planet. Join us live!https://t.co/ZETtBG2kor Parker Solar Probe’s just-released images of Venus — the first visible light images of the planet’s surface from space: pic.twitter.com/gDLOXOYXxL — NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) February 10, 2022 × “The surface of Venus, even on the nightside, is about 860 degrees,” Wood said, using the Fahrenheit scale. “It's so hot that the rocky surface of Venus is visibly glowing, like a piece of iron pulled from a forge.” (With inputs from agencies)

NASA releases pictures of Venus’s surface taken by Parker Solar Probe in new light

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident that humans will land on Mars by 2026. As he has been an advocate of hypothetical Mars colonisation, he might have persuaded people that human life outside Earth is possible.&nbsp;

The idea of setting up colonies on Mars has received interest from all corners as space scientists and experts are investigating all possibilities with several Mars missions.&nbsp;

In pursuit to pull off the extraordinary, the scientists and Musk's dream can get some help from the recent volcanic eruption near Tonga that unleashed explosive forces that undermined the power of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.&nbsp;

The undersea eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano was so powerful as it sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean and was heard some 2,300km away in New Zealand. Thousands of homes were destroyed.&nbsp;

Locals and survivors had described how the devastating Pacific blast "messed up" their brains. In the aftermath, parts of the nation were covered in ashes, communication with other countries was cut because the undersea lines were damaged. &nbsp;

ALOS READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-evidence-of-an-extreme-solar-tsunami-deep-within-earths-ice-448784">Scientists find evidence of an extreme solar 'tsunami' deep within Earth's ice</a>

The Pacific nation has been reeling as other countries like Australia, New Zealand and India have come forward to help as even drinking water was scarce. But slowly and surely, the disaster-hit nation is pushing forward to reconstruct and reestablish.

Now, scientists are probing the eruption activities to learn and prepare humankind for such occurrences in future with advancements in technology.&nbsp;

Besides, that volcano could offer valuable clues about the formation of other planets like Mars and Venus as it is offering researchers a rare chance to study how water and lava interact.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/water-flowed-on-mars-about-a-billion-years-longer-than-previous-estimates-nasa-448238">Water flowed on Mars about a billion years longer than previous estimates: NASA</a>

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center chief scientist James Garvin told Reuters that NASA experts had been studying the volcano for seven years before it erupted, and were now using forensic techniques to examine the remnants of the islands, Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai.&nbsp;

"We took that volume of mass ejected and the energetics to explosively fragment it, and calculated - using fairly classical techniques - how much energy that would take to break rock.... to break it up into little bits and throw it as ash and steam up," Garvin said.

"We did that calculation and we got numbers that range from something equivalent to the blast of a small asteroid that would hit the earth - about 10 metric, megatons of TNT or equivalent - to things even bigger," he said.&nbsp;

Garvin said that by studying the life cycle of the Tonga volcano, scientists have a "rare opportunity" to understand how formations may have been made on other planets like Mars and Venus.

WATCH |&nbsp;Second earthquake hits Tonga few days after massive volcanic eruption

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(With inputs from agencies)

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident that humans will land on Mars by 2026. As he has been an advocate of hypothetical Mars colonisation, he might have persuaded people that human life outside Earth is possible.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident that humans will land on Mars by 2026. As he has been an advocate of hypothetical Mars colonisation, he might have persuaded people that human life outside Earth is possible. The idea of setting up colonies on Mars has received interest from all corners as space scientists and experts are investigating all possibilities with several Mars missions. In pursuit to pull off the extraordinary, the scientists and Musk's dream can get some help from the recent volcanic eruption near Tonga that unleashed explosive forces that undermined the power of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The undersea eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano was so powerful as it sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean and was heard some 2,300km away in New Zealand. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Locals and survivors had described how the devastating Pacific blast "messed up" their brains. In the aftermath, parts of the nation were covered in ashes, communication with other countries was cut because the undersea lines were damaged. ALOS READ | Scientists find evidence of an extreme solar 'tsunami' deep within Earth's ice The Pacific nation has been reeling as other countries like Australia, New Zealand and India have come forward to help as even drinking water was scarce. But slowly and surely, the disaster-hit nation is pushing forward to reconstruct and reestablish. Now, scientists are probing the eruption activities to learn and prepare humankind for such occurrences in future with advancements in technology. Besides, that volcano could offer valuable clues about the formation of other planets like Mars and Venus as it is offering researchers a rare chance to study how water and lava interact. ALSO READ | Water flowed on Mars about a billion years longer than previous estimates: NASA NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center chief scientist James Garvin told Reuters that NASA experts had been studying the volcano for seven years before it erupted, and were now using forensic techniques to examine the remnants of the islands, Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai. "We took that volume of mass ejected and the energetics to explosively fragment it, and calculated - using fairly classical techniques - how much energy that would take to break rock.... to break it up into little bits and throw it as ash and steam up," Garvin said. "We did that calculation and we got numbers that range from something equivalent to the blast of a small asteroid that would hit the earth - about 10 metric, megatons of TNT or equivalent - to things even bigger," he said. Garvin said that by studying the life cycle of the Tonga volcano, scientists have a "rare opportunity" to understand how formations may have been made on other planets like Mars and Venus. WATCH | Second earthquake hits Tonga few days after massive volcanic eruption × (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk's dream of colonising Mars has a connection with Tonga volcanic eruption

Planet Venus, the other neighbour of Earth besides Mars is perfect example of hell. Venus is rightly called a 'greenhouse planet' since surface temperatures go upto 400 degrees Celsius. Its thick atmosphere is predominantly made of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid droplets. Such harsh conditions are not at all conducive to life. Hence it was thought that there was no life on Venus.

But now, scientists think that life may have found a way to survive in these harsh conditions on Venus.

Scientists and researchers from MIT, Cardiff University and Cambridge University have said in a new study that presence of Ammonia may suggest that microbes may be able to live inside clouds in Venus's atmosphere. The Ammonia can neutralise Venus' highly acidic environment and create habitable space in the clouds.

Moreover, these researchers think that a biological activity led to formation of Ammonia.

But can life survive in highly acidic environment?

Co-author of the study has been quoted in media reports as saying that life exists in highly acidic environs on Earth.&nbsp;

Venus, after Mars has always piqued scientific interest with respect to possibility of life. NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) are planning to send two spacecrafts to Venus in next 10 to 15 years. More light would be thrown on habitability of Venus' atmosphere at that time.

Planet Venus, the other neighbour of Earth besides Mars is perfect example of hell. Venus is rightly called a 'greenhouse planet' since surface temperatures go upto 400 degrees Celsius.

Planet Venus, the other neighbour of Earth besides Mars is perfect example of hell. Venus is rightly called a 'greenhouse planet' since surface temperatures go upto 400 degrees Celsius. Its thick atmosphere is predominantly made of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid droplets. Such harsh conditions are not at all conducive to life. Hence it was thought that there was no life on Venus. But now, scientists think that life may have found a way to survive in these harsh conditions on Venus. Scientists and researchers from MIT, Cardiff University and Cambridge University have said in a new study that presence of Ammonia may suggest that microbes may be able to live inside clouds in Venus's atmosphere. The Ammonia can neutralise Venus' highly acidic environment and create habitable space in the clouds. Moreover, these researchers think that a biological activity led to formation of Ammonia. But can life survive in highly acidic environment? Co-author of the study has been quoted in media reports as saying that life exists in highly acidic environs on Earth. Venus, after Mars has always piqued scientific interest with respect to possibility of life. NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) are planning to send two spacecrafts to Venus in next 10 to 15 years. More light would be thrown on habitability of Venus' atmosphere at that time.

Study finds more indication of life on Venus

Earth's neighbour Venus has the most harrowing surface conditions of all planets in the solar system. It is a 'greenhouse planet' with surface temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. Scientists and researchers are always curious as to whether Venus was ever habitable. While we have a lot of information based on out research and observations over decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is going one step ahead and sending a mission to Venus.

The DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission to Venus will lift off towards the end of this decade. After the launch in 2029, the mission will be carried out in two segments the spacecraft will do a couple flybys of Venus. After that, probe will be dropped into the upper atmosphere of the planet. Venus' atmosphere is 90 times denser than Earth's.

Venus' clouds are mainly composed of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid. The probe will descend through the atmosphere and will take readings of the composition. It will also trace for signatures of Oxygen that will hint towards presence of water.

NASA has released a breathtaking video of the DAVINCI mission. Check it out

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It is also postulated by scientists that microbes able to withstand high temperatures are present in Venus' upper atmosphere. DAVINCI mission is sure to shed more light on this.

Earth's neighbour Venus has the most harrowing surface conditions of all planets in the solar system. It is a 'greenhouse planet' with surface temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius.

Earth's neighbour Venus has the most harrowing surface conditions of all planets in the solar system. It is a 'greenhouse planet' with surface temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. Scientists and researchers are always curious as to whether Venus was ever habitable. While we have a lot of information based on out research and observations over decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is going one step ahead and sending a mission to Venus. The DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission to Venus will lift off towards the end of this decade. After the launch in 2029, the mission will be carried out in two segments the spacecraft will do a couple flybys of Venus. After that, probe will be dropped into the upper atmosphere of the planet. Venus' atmosphere is 90 times denser than Earth's. Venus' clouds are mainly composed of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid. The probe will descend through the atmosphere and will take readings of the composition. It will also trace for signatures of Oxygen that will hint towards presence of water. NASA has released a breathtaking video of the DAVINCI mission. Check it out × It is also postulated by scientists that microbes able to withstand high temperatures are present in Venus' upper atmosphere. DAVINCI mission is sure to shed more light on this.

NASA releases breathtaking video of DAVINCI mission to Venus

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish. It is the hottest planet in the solar system with surface temperature of 475 degrees Celcius.

The early solar system was a violent place. There were huge collisions between space rocks. Some of them grew in size because of that and became planet. Both, Earth and Venus underwent this violent process.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-video-of-moon-parade-with-saturn-in-background-419171">NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background</a>

Now a study has said that there were some space rocks that grazed the Earth but collided with Venus. So what was hit-and-run for Earth was a full-blown collision for Venus. In other words, these huge space rocks 'bounced off' the early Earth and collided with early Venus often becoming part of the planet.

The study has been published in Planetary Journal Science.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-the-significance-of-change-5-less-than-2-billion-years-old-lunar-samples-419140">What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples?</a>

The scientists carrying out the study analysed 4000 computer simulations. In these simulations, Mars-sized protoplanets were crashing with early Earth and Venus. The researchers found that about half of the space rocks just grazed the Earth and about half of these collided with Venus. Grazing the Earth slowed down the speed of these protoplanets because of which they were able to collide and stick with Venus.

Such studies hold potential to shed more light on why there is (literally) world of a difference between Earth and Venus, planets with similar mass and almost similar orbit around the Sun.

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish.

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish. It is the hottest planet in the solar system with surface temperature of 475 degrees Celcius. The early solar system was a violent place. There were huge collisions between space rocks. Some of them grew in size because of that and became planet. Both, Earth and Venus underwent this violent process. Also Read | NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background Now a study has said that there were some space rocks that grazed the Earth but collided with Venus. So what was hit-and-run for Earth was a full-blown collision for Venus. In other words, these huge space rocks 'bounced off' the early Earth and collided with early Venus often becoming part of the planet. The study has been published in Planetary Journal Science. Also Read | What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples? The scientists carrying out the study analysed 4000 computer simulations. In these simulations, Mars-sized protoplanets were crashing with early Earth and Venus. The researchers found that about half of the space rocks just grazed the Earth and about half of these collided with Venus. Grazing the Earth slowed down the speed of these protoplanets because of which they were able to collide and stick with Venus. Such studies hold potential to shed more light on why there is (literally) world of a difference between Earth and Venus, planets with similar mass and almost similar orbit around the Sun.

Space rocks bounced off Earth before collision with Venus: Study

Venus, the other neighbour of Earth than Mars has a literal hell on its surface. The average temperature is 461 Degrees Celsius. The atmosphere is almost entirely made up of Carbon dioxide and it is 90 times thicker than the atmosphere on Earth.

But a new study has started an interesting discussion. It says that Venus' clouds may have conditions suitable for photosynthesis.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/37-per-cent-patients-have-long-covid-symptoms-months-post-recovery-oxford-study-416740">37 per cent patients have long Covid symptoms months post recovery: Oxford study</a>

Photosynthesis is one of the major processes responsible for formation of life on any planet. Even on Earth, complex life was able to develop only when microbes started photosynthesis and created enough oxygen for complex life.

Now the new study says that clouds on Venus may have conditions that may support photosynthesis not just during the day but also at night. Scientists think that conditions may even be favourable for microbes to form. The clouds on Venus may absorb UV rays and provide some degree of protection just like ozone layer does it on Earth.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/before-chickens-early-humans-reared-one-of-the-most-dangerous-birds-study-417744">Before chickens, early humans reared one of the most dangerous birds: Study</a>

Rakhesh Mogul, lead author of the study and Biochemistry professor California State Polytechnic University, Pomona has been quoted in media reports as saying that Venus' clouds made 'great target for life detecting missions.

The study has been published in the journal Astrobiology.

Venus, the other neighbour of Earth than Mars has a literal hell on its surface. The average temperature is 461 Degrees Celsius. The atmosphere is almost entirely made up of Carbon dioxide and it is 90 times thicker than the atmosphere on Earth.

Venus, the other neighbour of Earth than Mars has a literal hell on its surface. The average temperature is 461 Degrees Celsius. The atmosphere is almost entirely made up of Carbon dioxide and it is 90 times thicker than the atmosphere on Earth. But a new study has started an interesting discussion. It says that Venus' clouds may have conditions suitable for photosynthesis. Also Read | 37 per cent patients have long Covid symptoms months post recovery: Oxford study Photosynthesis is one of the major processes responsible for formation of life on any planet. Even on Earth, complex life was able to develop only when microbes started photosynthesis and created enough oxygen for complex life. Now the new study says that clouds on Venus may have conditions that may support photosynthesis not just during the day but also at night. Scientists think that conditions may even be favourable for microbes to form. The clouds on Venus may absorb UV rays and provide some degree of protection just like ozone layer does it on Earth. Also Read | Before chickens, early humans reared one of the most dangerous birds: Study Rakhesh Mogul, lead author of the study and Biochemistry professor California State Polytechnic University, Pomona has been quoted in media reports as saying that Venus' clouds made 'great target for life detecting missions. The study has been published in the journal Astrobiology.

A study claims that Venus may host life in its clouds

New footage has been released showing glare from Venus. The image was captured by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft on its second flyby of the planet.

Solar Orbiter spacecraft captures Venus glare

If you love to spend time in gazing upon the&nbsp;sky,&nbsp;you seem to be in for luck as you can get&nbsp;the&nbsp;dazzling view of Venus, Mars and the moon&nbsp;getting together.&nbsp;

According to a CNN report, which quoted&nbsp;EarthSky,&nbsp;Venus and Mars have been moving towards one another all weekend. They will&nbsp;come to&nbsp;their closest meeting&nbsp;during the early hours of Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

From&nbsp;the&nbsp;Earth, the planets will appear&nbsp;to be&nbsp;only half a degree apart, as&nbsp;per the&nbsp;NASA.&nbsp;This meeting of planets in the sky is&nbsp;called&nbsp;planetary conjunction.&nbsp;Although it is just an&nbsp;illusion as the two planets are extremely far away from each other in reality.&nbsp;

In a video on NASA's website,&nbsp;NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s&nbsp;research space scientist&nbsp;Giada&nbsp;Arney said, "Even during this conjunction, they will still be many millions of miles apart.&nbsp;But from our point of view here on Earth, they will appear to be close together."&nbsp;

As the&nbsp;timing of this meeting&nbsp;coincides with the young moon's return to the night sky,&nbsp;the&nbsp;conjunction of these planets&nbsp;will appear&nbsp;alongwith&nbsp;a slim crescent moon, which&nbsp;is only 10 per cent illuminated.&nbsp;

According to the NASA,&nbsp;skywatchers&nbsp;will be able to see the three celestial bodies both&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday and Tuesday evenings.&nbsp;

If you love to spend time in gazing upon the sky, you seem to be in for luck as you can get the dazzling view of Venus, Mars and the moon getting together. According to a CNN report, which quoted EarthSky, Venus and Mars have been moving towards one another all weekend.

If you love to spend time in gazing upon the sky, you seem to be in for luck as you can get the dazzling view of Venus, Mars and the moon getting together. According to a CNN report, which quoted EarthSky, Venus and Mars have been moving towards one another all weekend. They will come to their closest meeting during the early hours of Tuesday. From the Earth, the planets will appear to be only half a degree apart, as per the NASA. This meeting of planets in the sky is called planetary conjunction. Although it is just an illusion as the two planets are extremely far away from each other in reality. In a video on NASA's website, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s research space scientist Giada Arney said, "Even during this conjunction, they will still be many millions of miles apart. But from our point of view here on Earth, they will appear to be close together." As the timing of this meeting coincides with the young moon's return to the night sky, the conjunction of these planets will appear alongwith a slim crescent moon, which is only 10 per cent illuminated. According to the NASA, skywatchers will be able to see the three celestial bodies both on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Keep gazing as Mars, Venus, moon come close in the sky 

NASA&nbsp;announced two new missions to Venus on Wednesday that will launch at the end of the decade and are aimed at learning how Earth's nearest planetary neighbor became a hellscape while our own thrived.

"These two sister missions both aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world, capable of melting lead at the surface," said Bill Nelson, the agency's newly-confirmed administrator.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-nasa-is-sending-bioluminescent-baby-squids-tardigrades-into-space-on-june-3-389016">Why NASA is sending bioluminescent baby squids, tardigrades into space on June 3</a>

"They will offer the entire science community the chance to investigate a planet we haven't been to in more than 30 years."

The missions have been awarded about $500 million under&nbsp;NASA's Discovery Program, and each is expected to launch in the 2028-2030 timeframe.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-curiosity-rover-clicks-rare-shiny-clouds-on-mars-388591">NASA's Curiosity Rover clicks rare shiny clouds on Mars</a>

Both missions were picked from a competitive, peer-reviewed process based on their scientific value and feasibility of their plans.

DAVINCI+, which stands for Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging, will gather more detail on the composition of Venus' primarily carbon dioxide atmosphere, to learn how it formed and evolved.

The mission also seeks to determine whether the planet once had an ocean.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-piece-of-space-debris-recently-damaged-the-international-space-station-388585">A piece of space debris recently damaged the International Space Station</a>

A descent sphere will plunge through the dense atmosphere which is laced with sulfuric acid clouds.&nbsp;

It will precisely measure the levels of noble gases and other elements to learn what gave rise to the runaway greenhouse effect we see today.

DAVINCI+ will also beam back the first high resolution images of the planet's "tesserae," geological features roughly comparable with Earth's continents whose existence suggests Venus has plate tectonics.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-proposed-venus-mission-attracts-international-payload-proposals-344846">India's proposed Venus mission attracts international payload proposals</a>

The results could reshape scientists' understanding of terrestrial planet formation.

The other mission is called VERITAS, an acronym for Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy.

This will aim to map the Venusian surface from orbit and delve into the planet's geologic history.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-venus-a-russian-planet-the-countrys-space-agency-chief-seems-to-think-so-327958">Is Venus a 'Russian planet'? The country's space agency chief seems to think so!</a>

Using a form of radar that is used to create three-dimensional constructions, it will chart surface elevations and confirm whether volcanoes and earthquakes are still happening on the planet.

It will also use infrared scanning to determine rock type, which is largely unknown, and whether active volcanoes are releasing water vapor into the atmosphere.

While the mission is&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;led, the German Aerospace Center will provide the infrared mapper, while the Italian&nbsp;Space&nbsp;Agency and France's Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales will contribute to the radar and other parts of the mission.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-parker-solar-probe-sends-stunning-image-of-venus-and-its-terrain-367178">Also Read |&nbsp;NASA's Parker Solar Probe sends stunning image of Venus and its terrain</a>

"It is astounding how little we know about Venus, but the combined results of these missions will tell us about the planet from the clouds in its sky through the volcanoes on its surface all the way down to its very core," said Tom Wagner,&nbsp;NASA's Discovery Program scientist.&nbsp;

"It will be as if we have rediscovered the planet."

NASA's last Venus orbiter was Magellan, which arrived in 1990, but other vessels have made fly-bys since then.

NASA announced two new missions to Venus on Wednesday that will launch at the end of the decade and are aimed at learning how Earth's nearest planetary neighbor became a hellscape while our own thrived.

NASA announced two new missions to Venus on Wednesday that will launch at the end of the decade and are aimed at learning how Earth's nearest planetary neighbor became a hellscape while our own thrived. "These two sister missions both aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world, capable of melting lead at the surface," said Bill Nelson, the agency's newly-confirmed administrator. Also Read | Why NASA is sending bioluminescent baby squids, tardigrades into space on June 3 "They will offer the entire science community the chance to investigate a planet we haven't been to in more than 30 years." The missions have been awarded about $500 million under NASA's Discovery Program, and each is expected to launch in the 2028-2030 timeframe. Also Read | NASA's Curiosity Rover clicks rare shiny clouds on Mars Both missions were picked from a competitive, peer-reviewed process based on their scientific value and feasibility of their plans. DAVINCI+, which stands for Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging, will gather more detail on the composition of Venus' primarily carbon dioxide atmosphere, to learn how it formed and evolved. The mission also seeks to determine whether the planet once had an ocean. Also Read | A piece of space debris recently damaged the International Space Station A descent sphere will plunge through the dense atmosphere which is laced with sulfuric acid clouds. It will precisely measure the levels of noble gases and other elements to learn what gave rise to the runaway greenhouse effect we see today. DAVINCI+ will also beam back the first high resolution images of the planet's "tesserae," geological features roughly comparable with Earth's continents whose existence suggests Venus has plate tectonics. Also Read | India's proposed Venus mission attracts international payload proposals The results could reshape scientists' understanding of terrestrial planet formation. The other mission is called VERITAS, an acronym for Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy. This will aim to map the Venusian surface from orbit and delve into the planet's geologic history. Also Read | Is Venus a 'Russian planet'? The country's space agency chief seems to think so! Using a form of radar that is used to create three-dimensional constructions, it will chart surface elevations and confirm whether volcanoes and earthquakes are still happening on the planet. It will also use infrared scanning to determine rock type, which is largely unknown, and whether active volcanoes are releasing water vapor into the atmosphere. While the mission is NASA led, the German Aerospace Center will provide the infrared mapper, while the Italian Space Agency and France's Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales will contribute to the radar and other parts of the mission. Also Read | NASA's Parker Solar Probe sends stunning image of Venus and its terrain "It is astounding how little we know about Venus, but the combined results of these missions will tell us about the planet from the clouds in its sky through the volcanoes on its surface all the way down to its very core," said Tom Wagner, NASA's Discovery Program scientist. "It will be as if we have rediscovered the planet." NASA's last Venus orbiter was Magellan, which arrived in 1990, but other vessels have made fly-bys since then.

NASA announces two new missions to Venus

NASA has announced two new missions. NASA is sending two new missions to Venus in order to examine the planet's atmosphere and geological features.

The&nbsp;Parker Solar Probe of the&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured stunning views of Venus during its close flyby of the planet.

When flying past Venus in July 2020, Parker Solar Probe’s WISPR instrument, (Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe)&nbsp;detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow,&nbsp;light emitted by oxygen atoms high in the atmosphere that recombine into molecules in the nightside.

The prominent dark feature in the centre of the image is Aphrodite Terra, the largest highland region on the Venusian surface. Bright streaks in WISPR, such as the ones seen here, are typically caused by a combination of charged particles, called cosmic rays, sunlight reflected by grains of space dust, and particles of material expelled from the spacecraft’s structures after impact with those dust grains.

The number of streaks varies along the orbit or when the spacecraft is traveling at different speeds, and scientists are still in discussion about the specific origins of the streaks here. The dark spot appearing on the lower portion of Venus is an artifact from the WISPR instrument.

WISPR is designed to take images of the solar corona and inner heliosphere in visible light, as well as images of the solar wind and its structures as they approach and fly by spacecraft.&nbsp;At Venus, the camera detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow — light emitted by oxygen atoms high in the atmosphere that recombine into molecules in the nightside. The prominent dark feature in the centre of the image is Aphrodite Terra, the largest highland region on the Venusian surface. The feature appears dark because of its lower temperature, about 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) cooler than its surroundings.

That aspect of the image took the team by surprise, said Angelos Vourlidas, the WISPR project scientist from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, who coordinated a WISPR imaging campaign with Japan’s Venus-orbiting Akatsuki mission. “WISPR is tailored and tested for visible-light observations. We expected to see clouds, but the camera peered right through to the surface.”

“WISPR effectively captured the thermal emission of the Venusian surface,” said Brian Wood, an astrophysicist and WISPR team member from the US&nbsp;Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. “It’s very similar to images acquired by the Akatsuki spacecraft at near-infrared wavelengths.”

This surprising observation sent the WISPR team back to the lab to measure the instrument’s sensitivity to infrared light. If WISPR can indeed pick up near-infrared wavelengths of light, the unforeseen capability would provide new opportunities to study dust around the Sun and in the inner solar system. If it can’t pick up extra infrared wavelengths, then these images — showing signatures of features on Venus’ surface — may have revealed a previously unknown “window” through the Venusian atmosphere.

“Either way,” Vourlidas said, “some exciting science opportunities await us.”

For more insight into the July 2020 images, the WISPR team planned a set of similar observations of the Venusian nightside during Parker Solar Probe’s latest Venus flyby on Feb. 20, 2021. Mission team scientists expect to receive and process that data for analysis by the end of April.

“We are really looking forward to these new images,” said Javier Peralta, a planetary scientist from the Akatsuki team, who first suggested a Parker Solar Probe campaign with Akatsuki, which has been in orbiting Venus since 2015. “If WISPR can sense the thermal emission from the surface of Venus and nightglow — most likely from oxygen — at the limb of the planet, it can make valuable contributions to studies of the Venusian surface.”

Parker Solar Probe is part of NASA’s Living with a Star program to explore aspects of the Sun-Earth system that directly affect life and society. The Living with a Star program is managed by the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Johns Hopkins APL designed, built and operates the spacecraft.

The Parker Solar Probe of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured stunning views of Venus during its close flyby of the planet. When flying past Venus in July 2020, Parker Solar Probe’s WISPR instrument, (Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe) detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow, light emitted by oxygen atoms high in the atmosphere that recombine into molecules in the nightside.

The Parker Solar Probe of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured stunning views of Venus during its close flyby of the planet. When flying past Venus in July 2020, Parker Solar Probe’s WISPR instrument, (Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe) detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow, light emitted by oxygen atoms high in the atmosphere that recombine into molecules in the nightside. The prominent dark feature in the centre of the image is Aphrodite Terra, the largest highland region on the Venusian surface. Bright streaks in WISPR, such as the ones seen here, are typically caused by a combination of charged particles, called cosmic rays, sunlight reflected by grains of space dust, and particles of material expelled from the spacecraft’s structures after impact with those dust grains. The number of streaks varies along the orbit or when the spacecraft is traveling at different speeds, and scientists are still in discussion about the specific origins of the streaks here. The dark spot appearing on the lower portion of Venus is an artifact from the WISPR instrument. WISPR is designed to take images of the solar corona and inner heliosphere in visible light, as well as images of the solar wind and its structures as they approach and fly by spacecraft. At Venus, the camera detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow — light emitted by oxygen atoms high in the atmosphere that recombine into molecules in the nightside. The prominent dark feature in the centre of the image is Aphrodite Terra, the largest highland region on the Venusian surface. The feature appears dark because of its lower temperature, about 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) cooler than its surroundings. That aspect of the image took the team by surprise, said Angelos Vourlidas, the WISPR project scientist from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, who coordinated a WISPR imaging campaign with Japan’s Venus-orbiting Akatsuki mission. “WISPR is tailored and tested for visible-light observations. We expected to see clouds, but the camera peered right through to the surface.” “WISPR effectively captured the thermal emission of the Venusian surface,” said Brian Wood, an astrophysicist and WISPR team member from the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. “It’s very similar to images acquired by the Akatsuki spacecraft at near-infrared wavelengths.” This surprising observation sent the WISPR team back to the lab to measure the instrument’s sensitivity to infrared light. If WISPR can indeed pick up near-infrared wavelengths of light, the unforeseen capability would provide new opportunities to study dust around the Sun and in the inner solar system. If it can’t pick up extra infrared wavelengths, then these images — showing signatures of features on Venus’ surface — may have revealed a previously unknown “window” through the Venusian atmosphere. “Either way,” Vourlidas said, “some exciting science opportunities await us.” For more insight into the July 2020 images, the WISPR team planned a set of similar observations of the Venusian nightside during Parker Solar Probe’s latest Venus flyby on Feb. 20, 2021. Mission team scientists expect to receive and process that data for analysis by the end of April. “We are really looking forward to these new images,” said Javier Peralta, a planetary scientist from the Akatsuki team, who first suggested a Parker Solar Probe campaign with Akatsuki, which has been in orbiting Venus since 2015. “If WISPR can sense the thermal emission from the surface of Venus and nightglow — most likely from oxygen — at the limb of the planet, it can make valuable contributions to studies of the Venusian surface.” Parker Solar Probe is part of NASA’s Living with a Star program to explore aspects of the Sun-Earth system that directly affect life and society. The Living with a Star program is managed by the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Johns Hopkins APL designed, built and operates the spacecraft.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe sends stunning image of Venus and its terrain

The early environment of our planet was as poisonous as that of present-day Venus, as gases got away from a magma sea during Earth's turn of events, researchers have found, subsequent to dissolving drifting marbles with lasers for their exploration.&nbsp;

As indicated by researchers, an item the size of Mars probably collided with youthful Earth in an effect that delivered enough energy to liquefy down the early planet's whole mantle – the layer between the center and covering – transforming it into magma.&nbsp;

This mammoth occasion would have stripped the majority of Earth's then-climate, to be supplanted by another one, overwhelmed via carbon dioxide and with little nitrogen - much like the barometrical creation of Venus today, and like Mars.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-size-of-burj-khalifa-set-to-collide-with-earths-orbit-next-week-345021" hreflang="en">Asteroid size of Burj Khalifa set to collide with Earth’s orbit next week</a>

The discoveries come from an investigation by Paolo Sossi and his group at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, whose paper, distributed in Science Advances on Wednesday, taken a gander at "Earth's magma sea and its Venus-like early air."&nbsp;

To comprehend the air of early Earth the group set out to reproduce those conditions by gliding a little bit of rock over a gas stream and afterward softening it with a 1900°C laser.&nbsp;

"This little liquefied marble gliding at very nearly 2000 degrees is kind of a small Earth in its liquid state," Sossi disclosed to New Scientist.&nbsp;

By utilising various gases in the stream to suspend the bit of liquid stone, the specialists reproduced differing environmental conditions, permitting them to see which one most firmly related to tests of Earth's mantle and the geographical record.&nbsp;

The group found that once the environment delivered from early Earth's magma sea cooled, it would have "looked like that of present-day Venus." This, they state, infers that the current contrasts among Earth and Venus' climates, reflect what occurred after the two planets shaped.&nbsp;

Our planet is large enough that gravity keeps its air set up, not at all like Mars, while Earth's situation in the close planetary system additionally makes it adequately cool contrasted with Venus, the second planet from the sun.&nbsp;

This implies that, in contrast to Venus, the water stays in fluid-structure on the Earth's surface and can retain carbon dioxide from the climate to forestall the planet overheating - and, vitally, make and keep up the conditions essential for supporting life.

The early environment of our planet was as poisonous as that of present-day Venus, as gases got away from a magma sea during Earth's turn of events, researchers have found, subsequent to dissolving drifting marbles with lasers for their exploration.

The early environment of our planet was as poisonous as that of present-day Venus, as gases got away from a magma sea during Earth's turn of events, researchers have found, subsequent to dissolving drifting marbles with lasers for their exploration. As indicated by researchers, an item the size of Mars probably collided with youthful Earth in an effect that delivered enough energy to liquefy down the early planet's whole mantle – the layer between the center and covering – transforming it into magma. This mammoth occasion would have stripped the majority of Earth's then-climate, to be supplanted by another one, overwhelmed via carbon dioxide and with little nitrogen - much like the barometrical creation of Venus today, and like Mars. Also read: Asteroid size of Burj Khalifa set to collide with Earth’s orbit next week The discoveries come from an investigation by Paolo Sossi and his group at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, whose paper, distributed in Science Advances on Wednesday, taken a gander at "Earth's magma sea and its Venus-like early air." To comprehend the air of early Earth the group set out to reproduce those conditions by gliding a little bit of rock over a gas stream and afterward softening it with a 1900°C laser. "This little liquefied marble gliding at very nearly 2000 degrees is kind of a small Earth in its liquid state," Sossi disclosed to New Scientist. By utilising various gases in the stream to suspend the bit of liquid stone, the specialists reproduced differing environmental conditions, permitting them to see which one most firmly related to tests of Earth's mantle and the geographical record. The group found that once the environment delivered from early Earth's magma sea cooled, it would have "looked like that of present-day Venus." This, they state, infers that the current contrasts among Earth and Venus' climates, reflect what occurred after the two planets shaped. Our planet is large enough that gravity keeps its air set up, not at all like Mars, while Earth's situation in the close planetary system additionally makes it adequately cool contrasted with Venus, the second planet from the sun. This implies that, in contrast to Venus, the water stays in fluid-structure on the Earth's surface and can retain carbon dioxide from the climate to forestall the planet overheating - and, vitally, make and keep up the conditions essential for supporting life.

Scientists unravel Earth's early atmosphere after melting hovering marbles with lasers

Researchers are of the opinion that Earth and Venus were once similar. With time, changes happened on the surface of Venus to turn it into the greenhouse-effect driven planet it is today. Evidence of this shift is hidden in rocky time capsules on the moon, flung there by ancient collisions.

Scientists at Yale University have suggested that billions of pieces of planet Venus are likely to have crashed on the Moon.

The lead author of the new research said in a statement: "Anything from Venus that landed on Earth is probably buried very deep, due to geological activity. These rocks would be much better preserved on the moon."

The first factor that supports the theory is that asteroids hitting Venus usually are going faster than those that hit Earth, dispatching significantly more material. The second is that a huge fraction of Venus’s ejected material would have approached Earth and the Moon.

According to the scientists' models of the way orbits line up, Venusian material should reach the Earth-moon neighborhood fairly frequently. The researchers' calculations suggest that out of every 10,000 pieces of rock flung off Venus by impacts, about seven should have landed on the moon.

At the same time, scientists think Venus might have looked much more like Earth does today, with a thinner atmosphere than its current carbon dioxide blanket.

Researchers are of the opinion that Earth and Venus were once similar. With time, changes happened on the surface of Venus to turn it into the greenhouse-effect driven planet it is today.

Researchers are of the opinion that Earth and Venus were once similar. With time, changes happened on the surface of Venus to turn it into the greenhouse-effect driven planet it is today. Evidence of this shift is hidden in rocky time capsules on the moon, flung there by ancient collisions. Scientists at Yale University have suggested that billions of pieces of planet Venus are likely to have crashed on the Moon. The lead author of the new research said in a statement: "Anything from Venus that landed on Earth is probably buried very deep, due to geological activity. These rocks would be much better preserved on the moon." The first factor that supports the theory is that asteroids hitting Venus usually are going faster than those that hit Earth, dispatching significantly more material. The second is that a huge fraction of Venus’s ejected material would have approached Earth and the Moon. According to the scientists' models of the way orbits line up, Venusian material should reach the Earth-moon neighborhood fairly frequently. The researchers' calculations suggest that out of every 10,000 pieces of rock flung off Venus by impacts, about seven should have landed on the moon. At the same time, scientists think Venus might have looked much more like Earth does today, with a thinner atmosphere than its current carbon dioxide blanket.

Pieces of Venus may be hiding on the moon, study says

After the discovery of a gas that provides strong evidence of the presence of living organisms in Venus, NASA is considering giving approval to a mission to the planet on the solar system.&nbsp;

On Monday, a team of scientists confirmed the presence of phosphine in Venus, a flammable gas present on Earth which provides evidence of the existence of living organisms.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/potential-sign-of-alien-life-detected-on-inhospitable-venus-327530">Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus</a>

The US space agency is reveiwing four proposals, including two robotic probes on Venus, which can be approved by next April.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-seeking-explorers-for-mining-on-the-moon-all-nationalities-welcome-326795">NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome</a>

One of the proposals is called DAVINCI+, which intends to probe the Venusian atmosphere.

"Davinci is the logical one to choose if you're motivated in part by wanting to follow this up - because the way to follow this up is to actually go there and see what's going on in the atmosphere," said David Grinspoon, an astrobiologist working on the DAVINCI+ proposal, as quoted by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

The name of the second proposal on Venus is VERITAS, that would target on understanding the planet's geological history.&nbsp;

Earlier NASA chief Jim Bridenstine called the findings about Venus "most significant development" and called for "prioritising Venus".&nbsp;

"Life on Venus? The discovery of phosphine, a byproduct of anaerobic biology, is the most significant development yet in building the case for life off Earth," he said on Twitter.&nbsp;

After the discovery of a gas that provides strong evidence of the presence of living organisms in Venus, NASA is considering giving approval to a mission to the planet on the solar system.

After the discovery of a gas that provides strong evidence of the presence of living organisms in Venus, NASA is considering giving approval to a mission to the planet on the solar system. On Monday, a team of scientists confirmed the presence of phosphine in Venus, a flammable gas present on Earth which provides evidence of the existence of living organisms. Also read | Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus The US space agency is reveiwing four proposals, including two robotic probes on Venus, which can be approved by next April. Also read | NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome One of the proposals is called DAVINCI+, which intends to probe the Venusian atmosphere. "Davinci is the logical one to choose if you're motivated in part by wanting to follow this up - because the way to follow this up is to actually go there and see what's going on in the atmosphere," said David Grinspoon, an astrobiologist working on the DAVINCI+ proposal, as quoted by news agency Reuters. The name of the second proposal on Venus is VERITAS, that would target on understanding the planet's geological history. Earlier NASA chief Jim Bridenstine called the findings about Venus "most significant development" and called for "prioritising Venus". "Life on Venus? The discovery of phosphine, a byproduct of anaerobic biology, is the most significant development yet in building the case for life off Earth," he said on Twitter.

Life on Venus? NASA considering probe to find possible life

Days after scientists said there could be life on Venus, Russia has staked claim on the planet. Moscow says Venus is a Russian planet. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how Russia is justifying its bizarre claim?

Gravitas: Moscow says Venus is a Russian planet

Right after scientists discovered the possibility of life on the planet Venus, the Russian space agency has claimed the country’s ownership on the planet.

Russian space organisation Roscosmos intends to explore Venus independently.&nbsp;

The head of Russia's space corporation Dmitry Rogozin even announced initiating a national project to study the planet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/potential-sign-of-alien-life-detected-on-inhospitable-venus-327530" hreflang="en">Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus</a>

According to the space agency, the first missions to explore the Earth's distant neighbour were carried out by the Soviet Union. Does this give them an upper hand to claim the planet as their own?

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Roscosmos&nbsp;in a statement said that the enormous gap between the Soviet Union and its competitors in the investigation of Venus contributed to the fact that the United States called Venus a Soviet planet.

The new project would be in addition to the "venera-d" project that the Russians are currently working on with the US space agency NASA.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/not-a-dormant-planet-venus-is-home-to-37-recently-active-volcanic-structures-314808" hreflang="en">Not a dormant planet: Venus is home to 37 recently active volcanic structures!</a>

Earlier it was said that Russia is planning to cut down their international partners on Venera-d project to limit international interference.

But later, Russian media reported that the space agency would launch a separate project to explore Venus.

Scientists have recently discovered that the planet Venus contains phosphine gas that hints towards a possible existence of micro organisms on the planet.

Right after scientists discovered the possibility of life on the planet Venus, the Russian space agency has claimed the country’s ownership on the planet. Russian space organisation Roscosmos intends to explore Venus independently.

Right after scientists discovered the possibility of life on the planet Venus, the Russian space agency has claimed the country’s ownership on the planet. Russian space organisation Roscosmos intends to explore Venus independently. The head of Russia's space corporation Dmitry Rogozin even announced initiating a national project to study the planet. Also read: Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus According to the space agency, the first missions to explore the Earth's distant neighbour were carried out by the Soviet Union. Does this give them an upper hand to claim the planet as their own? × Roscosmos in a statement said that the enormous gap between the Soviet Union and its competitors in the investigation of Venus contributed to the fact that the United States called Venus a Soviet planet. The new project would be in addition to the "venera-d" project that the Russians are currently working on with the US space agency NASA. Also read: Not a dormant planet: Venus is home to 37 recently active volcanic structures! Earlier it was said that Russia is planning to cut down their international partners on Venera-d project to limit international interference. But later, Russian media reported that the space agency would launch a separate project to explore Venus. Scientists have recently discovered that the planet Venus contains phosphine gas that hints towards a possible existence of micro organisms on the planet.

Is Venus a 'Russian planet'? The country's space agency chief seems to think so!

A team of international scientists has detected traces of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus. A paper on this discovery was published in Nature Astronomy journal by a team of international scientists.

WION Dispatch: Experts detect Phosphine gas on Venus

Scientists said on Monday they have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth's inhospitable neighbour, a tantalizing sign of potential life beyond Earth.

The researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that on Earth phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments. The international scientific team first spotted the phosphine using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii and confirmed it using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in Chile.

"I was very surprised - stunned, in fact," said astronomer Jane Greaves of Cardiff University in Wales, lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-seeking-explorers-for-mining-on-the-moon-all-nationalities-welcome-326795" hreflang="en">NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome</a>

The existence of extraterrestrial life long has been one of the paramount questions of science. Scientists have used probes and telescopes to seek "biosignatures" - indirect signs of life - on other planets and moons in our solar system and beyond.

"With what we currently know of Venus,&nbsp;the most plausible explanation for phosphine, as fantastical as it might sound, is life," said Massachusetts Institute of Technology molecular astrophysicist&nbsp;and study co-author Clara Sousa-Silva.

"I should emphasize that life, as an explanation for our discovery, should be, as always, the last resort," Sousa-Silva added. "This is important because, if it is phosphine, and if it is life, it means that we are not alone. It also means that life itself must be very common, and there must be many other inhabited planets throughout our galaxy."

Phosphine - a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached - is highly toxic to people.

Earth-based telescopes like those used in this research help scientists study the chemistry and other characteristics of celestial objects.

Phosphine was seen at 20 parts-per-billion in the Venusian atmosphere, a trace concentration. Greaves said the researchers examined potential non-biological sources such as volcanism, meteorites, lightning and various types of chemical reactions, but none appeared viable. The research continues to either confirm&nbsp;the presence of life or find an alternative explanation.

Venus is Earth's closest planetary neighbour. Similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth, it is the second planet from the sun. Earth is the third. Venus is wrapped in a thick, toxic atmosphere that traps in heat. Surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius), hot enough to melt lead.

"I can only speculate on what life might survive on Venus, if indeed it is there. No life would be able to survive on the surface of Venus, because it is completely inhospitable, even for biochemistries completely different from ours," Sousa-Silva said. "But a long time ago, Venus could have had life on its surface, before a runaway greenhouse effect left the majority of the planet completely uninhabitable."

THE ACID TEST

Some scientists have suspected that the Venusian high clouds, with mild temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), could harbor aerial microbes that could endure extreme acidity. These clouds are around 90% sulphuric acid. Earth microbes could not survive that acidity.

"If it's microorganisms, they would have access to some sunlight and water, and maybe live in liquid droplets to stop themselves dehydrating, but they would need some unknown mechanism to protect against corrosion by acid," Greaves said.

On Earth, microorganisms in "anaerobic" environments - ecosystems that do not rely on oxygen - produce phosphine. These include sewage plants, swamps, rice fields, marshlands, lake sediments and the excrements and intestinal tracts of many animals. Phosphine also arises non-biologically in certain industrial settings.

To produce phosphine, Earth bacteria take up phosphate from minerals or biological material and add hydrogen.

"We have done our very best to explain this discovery without the need for a biological process. With our current knowledge of phosphine, and Venus, and geochemistry, we cannot explain the presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus. That doesn't mean it is life. It just means that some exotic process is producing phosphine, and our understanding of Venus needs work," Clara Sousa-Silva said.

Venus should be hostile to phosphine. Its surface and atmosphere are rich in oxygen compounds that would rapidly react with and destroy phosphine.

"Something must be creating the phosphine on Venus as fast as it is being destroyed," said study co-author Anita Richards, an astrophysicist associated with the University of Manchester in England.

While previous robotic spacecraft have visited Venus, a new probe may be needed to confirm life.

"Fortunately, Venus is right next door," Sousa-Silva said. "So we can literally go and check."

Scientists said on Monday they have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth's inhospitable neighbour, a tantalizing sign of potential life beyond Earth.

Scientists said on Monday they have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth's inhospitable neighbour, a tantalizing sign of potential life beyond Earth. The researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that on Earth phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments. The international scientific team first spotted the phosphine using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii and confirmed it using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in Chile. "I was very surprised - stunned, in fact," said astronomer Jane Greaves of Cardiff University in Wales, lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Astronomy. Also read: NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome The existence of extraterrestrial life long has been one of the paramount questions of science. Scientists have used probes and telescopes to seek "biosignatures" - indirect signs of life - on other planets and moons in our solar system and beyond. "With what we currently know of Venus, the most plausible explanation for phosphine, as fantastical as it might sound, is life," said Massachusetts Institute of Technology molecular astrophysicist and study co-author Clara Sousa-Silva. "I should emphasize that life, as an explanation for our discovery, should be, as always, the last resort," Sousa-Silva added. "This is important because, if it is phosphine, and if it is life, it means that we are not alone. It also means that life itself must be very common, and there must be many other inhabited planets throughout our galaxy." Phosphine - a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached - is highly toxic to people. Earth-based telescopes like those used in this research help scientists study the chemistry and other characteristics of celestial objects. Phosphine was seen at 20 parts-per-billion in the Venusian atmosphere, a trace concentration. Greaves said the researchers examined potential non-biological sources such as volcanism, meteorites, lightning and various types of chemical reactions, but none appeared viable. The research continues to either confirm the presence of life or find an alternative explanation. Venus is Earth's closest planetary neighbour. Similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth, it is the second planet from the sun. Earth is the third. Venus is wrapped in a thick, toxic atmosphere that traps in heat. Surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius), hot enough to melt lead. "I can only speculate on what life might survive on Venus, if indeed it is there. No life would be able to survive on the surface of Venus, because it is completely inhospitable, even for biochemistries completely different from ours," Sousa-Silva said. "But a long time ago, Venus could have had life on its surface, before a runaway greenhouse effect left the majority of the planet completely uninhabitable." THE ACID TEST Some scientists have suspected that the Venusian high clouds, with mild temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), could harbor aerial microbes that could endure extreme acidity. These clouds are around 90% sulphuric acid. Earth microbes could not survive that acidity. "If it's microorganisms, they would have access to some sunlight and water, and maybe live in liquid droplets to stop themselves dehydrating, but they would need some unknown mechanism to protect against corrosion by acid," Greaves said. On Earth, microorganisms in "anaerobic" environments - ecosystems that do not rely on oxygen - produce phosphine. These include sewage plants, swamps, rice fields, marshlands, lake sediments and the excrements and intestinal tracts of many animals. Phosphine also arises non-biologically in certain industrial settings. To produce phosphine, Earth bacteria take up phosphate from minerals or biological material and add hydrogen. "We have done our very best to explain this discovery without the need for a biological process. With our current knowledge of phosphine, and Venus, and geochemistry, we cannot explain the presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus. That doesn't mean it is life. It just means that some exotic process is producing phosphine, and our understanding of Venus needs work," Clara Sousa-Silva said. Venus should be hostile to phosphine. Its surface and atmosphere are rich in oxygen compounds that would rapidly react with and destroy phosphine. "Something must be creating the phosphine on Venus as fast as it is being destroyed," said study co-author Anita Richards, an astrophysicist associated with the University of Manchester in England. While previous robotic spacecraft have visited Venus, a new probe may be needed to confirm life. "Fortunately, Venus is right next door," Sousa-Silva said. "So we can literally go and check."

Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus

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