SURFACE OF VENUS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29504, 4 May 1961, Page 20

SURFACE OF VENUS

Dust Prevents Observation

If Russian tracking experts can regain contact with their rocket rushing towards Venus, astronomers may, for the first time, discover something concrete about the cloud-wrapped "mystery planet” The surface of the planet, which is nearest in size to being a twin of the earth, has never been observed or photographed. The most sensitive infra-red plates, which on earth can reveal detail through mist or cloud, cannot unveil Venus. What has been established is the presence of abundant carbon dioxide. Observation and laboratory investigation indicate that the amount of carbon dioxide above the surface of Venus is equivalent to a layer two miles in thickness at standard atmospheric pressure and temperature. This in turn would suggest that the temperature at the surface of Venus must be above the boiling point of water, because of the very strong greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide. Thus there must be violent cyclones, tornadoes and gales, raging over a dry desert —because even if water existed it would evaporate. What appears to be the visible surface of Venus, therefore, is probably upper surface of a dense, dust layer. In his book "Life on Other Worlds.” Sir Harold Spencer Jones, the former Astrono-mer-Royal, said: “We can draw a picture of Venus that is probably pretty near the truth, despite the fact that we have never seen her surface. The whole planet is desert. Intense gales blow perpetually and the yellow dust is carried high into her atmosphere. The surface is consequently steeped in a Stygian gloom. The heat is intense. There is no vegetation of any sort. Nor are there any great mountain ranges, for the dust and sand blown by the violent winds have denuded ‘the mountains to the level of the plains."