Temperature on venus
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Temperature on Venus: A Comprehensive Overview
Surface Temperature on Venus: Extreme Greenhouse Effect
The surface temperature of Venus is extraordinarily high, primarily due to a runaway greenhouse effect. Calculations using radiation balance models indicate that the mean surface temperatures can range from 500 K to 650 K, depending on atmospheric pressure and water vapor content2. The dense carbon dioxide atmosphere traps heat, leading to surface temperatures that can reach up to 750 K7. Without this greenhouse effect, the surface temperature would plummet to as low as -40°C6.
Upper Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere: Temperature Variability
Ground-Based Spectroscopy Observations
Temperatures in Venus's upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, around 110 km altitude, have been measured using high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of CO2 emission lines. Observations from 1990/1991 and 2009 show temperatures ranging from 200 K to 240 K, with more recent measurements indicating slightly lower temperatures by 10-20 K1. These temperatures exhibit significant variability due to atmospheric dynamics, diurnal changes, and solar activity1.
Day-Side Mesosphere Temperatures
Direct observations of the Venus dayside mesosphere reveal a strong dependence on local time and latitude. Temperatures range from 160 K near the terminator and South Pole to 250 K at the sub-solar point3. These values are higher than those predicted by the Venus International Reference Atmosphere (VIRA) model but align with earlier measurements from 20073.
Night-Side Mesosphere: Hydroxyl Airglow Emission
The temperature of Venus's night-side mesosphere, around 95 km altitude, has been determined using hydroxyl airglow emissions. These temperatures vary from 145.5 K to 198.1 K, with an average of 176.3 K5. The temperature distribution shows a minimum at equatorial latitudes and increases towards mid-latitudes, peaking around 35°N5.
Polar Temperature: Microwave Interferometry
Microwave measurements have provided insights into the polar temperatures of Venus. While some data suggest substantial polar cooling, other measurements show little evidence for significant temperature variation towards the poles9.
Historical Climate: Potential for Habitability
Billions of years ago, Venus might have had a more temperate climate. Climate simulations suggest that with a slower rotation period and an ocean, Venus could have maintained moderate temperatures despite receiving higher solar flux than Earth7. This indicates that Venus might have been habitable until at least 715 million years ago10.
Conclusion
Venus exhibits extreme surface temperatures due to a potent greenhouse effect, while its upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere show significant variability influenced by atmospheric dynamics and solar activity. The night-side mesosphere is cooler, with temperatures influenced by latitude. Historical climate models suggest that Venus might have once had conditions suitable for habitability. Understanding these temperature variations is crucial for comprehending Venus's atmospheric dynamics and its climatic history.
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.
Direct observations of Venus upper mesospheric temperatures from ground based spectroscopy of CO2
Venus' upper mesosphere shows high temperatures, reaching 250 K at the sub solar point, contradicting predictions from the Venus International Reference Atmosphere model.
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 CitedThe temperature of the Venus mesosphere from O2 (aΔg1) airglow observations
The Venus mesosphere has temperatures 15-30 K higher than expected, with a region of locally enhanced temperature caused by compressional heating in the downwelling gas around the antisolar point.
Highly CitedWas 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