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Explanation: If the thick clouds covering Venus were removed, how would the surface appear? Using an imaging radar technique, the Magellan spacecraft was able to lift the veil from the Face of Venus and produce this spectacular high resolution image of the planet's surface. Red, in this false-color map, represents mountains, while blue represents valleys. This 3-kilometer resolution map is a composite of Magellan images compiled between 1990 and 1994. Gaps were filled in by the Earth-based Arecibo Radio Telescope. The large yellow/red area in the north is Ishtar Terra featuring Maxwell Montes, the largest mountain on Venus. The large highland regions are analogous to continents on Earth. Scientists are particularly interested in exploring the geology of Venus because of its similarity to Earth.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Venus - clouds - surface
Publications with words: Venus - clouds - surface
See also:
- APOD: 2025 May 11 B The Surface of Venus from Venera 14
- The ISS Meets Venus
- APOD: 2025 March 16 B Venus and the Triply Ultraviolet Sun
- A Conjunction of Crescents
- Nacreous Clouds over Sweden
- APOD: 2024 November 19 B Undulatus Clouds over Las Campanas Observatory
- APOD: 2024 July 7 B Iridescent Clouds over Sweden