Venus' tremendous surface heat causes whirling winds in the upper atmosphere, creating infrared radiation.
A team of researchers led by the Instituto de Astrofsica e Ciências do Espaço (IAstro2) detailed Venus' secret in a study titled "Venus' Cloud-Tracked Winds Using Ground- and Space-Based Observations with TNG/NICS and VEx/VIRTIS."
NASA’s Magellan mission created the first maps in the 1990s using radar and JAXA’s Akatsuki spacecraft gathered infrared images after reaching orbit around Venus in 2016.
Venus Secretly Makes Infrared Radiation Under The Heat Of Whirling Winds
The scientists measured the speed of Venus' wind at two distinct altitudes in the planet's atmosphere, roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) apart.
According to Space.com, researchers measured the speed of the wind moving the clouds using indirect techniques after seeing and tracking the clouds at one-hour intervals.
They discovered that winds at the top of the clouds were 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour) quicker than winds at lower altitudes.
The study backs with the theory that heat from lower layers of Venus' atmosphere flows higher, speeding up the planet's atmospheric circulation.
In essence, the new findings back up the theory that Venus' unusual atmospheric winds are caused by surface heat.
Infrared radiation, or thermal emission, is produced by Venus' tremendous surface temperatures and rises into the air up to the clouds, roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) above the surface.
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Infrared images of Venus show this heat emission emanating from the surface and going upward.
NASA to Further Explore Venus' Atmosphere Using Drones
To further investigate this recent study, NASA has revealed some of the far-fetched mission concepts it hopes to investigate as part of its NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program.
According to Digital Trends, the program includes a breathtaking plan to explore Venus using bird-like drones that swoop and glide through the dense Venusian atmosphere.
The concept, dubbed BREEZE (Bio-inspired Ray for Extreme Environments and Zonal Exploration), is one of seventeen innovative proposals chosen for further research as part of the initiative.
BREEZE has been awarded a Phase II grant, which means the researchers will continue their research for another two years.
The concept behind BREEZE is to create drone explorers that employ inflatable constructions and draw design cues from nature. Given the environment on Venus, the proposal, as bizarre as it may seem, makes a lot of sense.
Because the surface of Venus is obscured by dense clouds from orbit, explorers must descend below the clouds to acquire a decent view of the planet.
However, because the pressure and surface temperatures are enormous, past probes have only lasted a few minutes. The dense atmosphere is heavy with sulfuric acid clouds, so it's not exactly a pleasant environment, but it could be acceptable for a vessel that glides along with the powerful winds.
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