The Scientific Exploration of Venus

An intimate account of the exploration of Venus during the space age by the Soviets, the USA, Europe and Japan

Venus is the brightest 'star' in the night sky and it has been observed since ancient times. Often dubbed Earth's 'twin', it is the planet most similar to the Earth in size, mass and composition. There the similarity ends: Venus is shrouded by a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere, its surface is dominated by thousands of volcanoes and it lacks a protective magnetic field to shield it from energetic solar particles. So why isn't Venus more like Earth?

In this book, a leading researcher of Venus addresses this question by explaining what we know through our investigations of the planet. Venus presents an intriguing case study for planetary astronomers and atmospheric scientists, especially in light of the current challenges of global warming, which supports, and potentially threatens, life on Earth. Scientifically rigorous, yet written in a friendly non-technical style, this is a broad introduction for students and astronomy and space enthusiasts.

Table of Contents:

• The dawn of Venus exploration
• Mariner and Venera
• Pioneer Venus and Vega: orbiters, balloons and multi-probes
• Images of the surface
• The forgotten world
• Earth-based astronomy delivers a breakthrough
• Can't stop now
• Europe and Japan join in: Venus Express and Akatsuki
• Origin and evolution: the solid planet
• Atmosphere and ocean
• A volcanic world
• The mysterious clouds
• Superwinds and polar vortices
• The climate on Venus, past, present and future
• Could there be life on Venus?
• Solar system exploration
• Coming soon to a planet near you: planned Venus missions
• Towards the horizon: advanced technology
• Beyond the horizon: human expeditions

The author Fred Taylor is Halley Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford. He is a senior figure in the planetary science community, and has been involved in NASA and ESA missions to study Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn.