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Temperature on Venus: A Comprehensive Overview
Surface Temperature on Venus
The surface temperature of Venus is extremely high, averaging around 730 K (457°C)10. This intense heat is primarily due to the thick carbon dioxide atmosphere, which creates a runaway greenhouse effect, trapping heat efficiently2 7. Calculations using radiation balance models indicate that surface temperatures can range from 500 K to 650 K depending on atmospheric pressure and composition2. Observations from various missions, including Mariner 5 and Venera 4, support these findings, showing a consistent lapse rate and high surface temperatures2 3.
Atmospheric Temperature Variability
Lower Atmosphere
In the lower atmosphere, Venus exhibits near-adiabatic vertical temperature gradients, meaning the temperature decreases steadily with altitude8. The thermal structure is influenced by the dense atmosphere and cloud cover, which trap solar radiation and contribute to the high surface temperatures10.
Upper Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere
Temperatures in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere of Venus have been measured using high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of CO2 emission lines. These measurements, taken at around 110 km altitude, show temperatures ranging from 200 K to 240 K, with some variability due to atmospheric dynamics and solar activity1. More recent measurements using the SOIR instrument on Venus Express are consistent with these earlier results, although they show slightly lower temperatures1.
Night Side Mesosphere
The night side of Venus, particularly at around 95 km altitude, has been studied using hydroxyl airglow emissions. These studies reveal temperatures ranging from 145.5 K to 198.1 K, with an average of 176.3 K. The temperature varies with latitude, showing a minimum at equatorial regions and increasing towards mid-latitudes5.
Polar Temperature
There is some debate regarding the temperature variation towards the poles of Venus. While some microwave measurements suggest significant polar cooling, other data do not support substantial temperature differences between the poles and the equator4. Overall, the evidence for polar temperature variation remains inconclusive.
Historical Climate and Habitability
Billions of years ago, Venus might have had a more temperate climate, potentially making it the first habitable world in our solar system. Climate simulations using topographic data and solar irradiance estimates suggest that Venus could have maintained moderate temperatures if it had a slower rotation period. These conditions might have persisted until at least 715 million years ago, indicating that Venus's climate history is crucial for understanding exoplanets with similar characteristics6 9.
Conclusion
Venus presents a complex thermal environment with extreme surface temperatures driven by a dense CO2 atmosphere and significant variability in the upper atmosphere. While the surface remains inhospitable, historical climate models suggest that Venus might have once harbored conditions suitable for life. Understanding Venus's temperature dynamics provides valuable insights into planetary atmospheres and the potential habitability of exoplanets.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Thermospheric/mesospheric temperatures on Venus: Results from ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy of CO 2 in 1990/1991 and comparison to results from 2009 and between other techniques
Venus' upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere temperatures range from 200 to 240 K, with high temperature variability due to atmospheric dynamics, diurnal variability, solar activity, and seasons.
Temperature estimation from hydroxyl airglow emission in the Venus night side mesosphere
The temperature of the night side of Venus at 95 km can be estimated using hydroxyl airglow emission, with an average value of 176.3 14.3 K and a local maximum at about 35°N.
Was Venus the first habitable world of our solar system?
Venus may have been the first habitable world in our solar system, with moderate temperatures and a slower rotation period, and could remain habitable until at least 0.715 Gya.
Highly CitedVenus: Estimates of the Surface Temperature and Pressure from Radio and Radar Measurements
The average surface temperature and pressure of Venus are approximately 750 K and 90 atmospheres, respectively, based on radio brightness temperature and radar cross section spectra.
Was Venus the First Habitable World of our Solar System?
Venus could have been the first habitable world in our solar system, with moderate temperatures and a slower rotation period, until at least 715 million years ago.
Highly Cited