Venus

Is a planetary biosphere necessary for the long-term survival of life?

After eight years in orbit, ESA’s Venus Express has completed routine science observations and is preparing for a daring plunge into the planet’s hostile atmosphere.

A rainbow-like feature known as a ‘glory’ has been seen by ESA’s Venus Express orbiter in the atmosphere of our nearest neighbour – the first time one has been fully imaged on another planet.

Researchers recently discovered that a common space weather phenomenon on the outskirts of Earth’s magnetic bubble, the magnetosphere, has much larger repercussions for Venus.

Venus Express has observed Venus during a period of reduced solar wind pressure, discovering that the planet’s ionosphere balloons out like a comet’s tail on its nightside.

As 2012 draws to a close, Astrobiology Magazine highlights the year's top stories. At number 10, scientists watched a rare transit of Venus as it crossed the face of the Sun. Why has Venus been an object worthy of ogling for hundreds of centuries? (Originally

When Venus passed between the Earth and the Sun on June 6, 2012, astronomers used the opportunity to watch how the sunlight reflected off the Moon changed during the transit. The technique could help scientists to find planets in orbit around other stars.

A new study suggests that active volcanoes on Venus could explain large changes that have been observed in the sulphur dioxide content of the planet's atmosphere.

A new study shows that Venus has a surprisingly cold region high in its atmosphere, where carbon dioxide might freeze out as ice or snow.

On Wednesday, June 6, scientists will watch the sky as Venus transits across the face of the Sun. Why has Venus been an object worthy of ogling for hundreds of centuries?