Unexplained Turbulence in Venusian Clouds

"It is not yet clear if atmospheric turbulences may be induced
by rough topography below the clouds."

- ESA

Artist's impression of European Space Agency's Venus Express orbiting Venus, courtesy ESA.

April 3 , 2007 Paris, France - New images and data from the European Space Agency’s mission to Venus provide more details about the turbulent and noxious atmosphere of Earth’s sister planet. What causes violent winds and turbulences? Is the surface topography playing a role in the complex global dynamics of the atmosphere?

The images, showing a complex cloud system, were taken on the night-side of Venus at a wavelength of 1.7 micron that allows viewing the deep atmospheric layers. Credits: ESA/VIRTIS/INAF-IASF/Obs. de Paris-LESIA.

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