Venus planet temperature
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Venus Planet Temperature
Surface Temperature of Venus
Venus is known for its extreme surface temperatures, which are among the highest in the solar system. Present-day Venus has surface temperatures that approach 750 K (approximately 477°C)2 4. This intense heat is primarily due to a runaway greenhouse effect caused by its thick atmosphere, which is composed mainly of carbon dioxide and clouds of sulfuric acid7. The surface pressure on Venus is also extremely high, about 90 times that of Earth's2 4.
Historical Climate and Temperature Variations
Interestingly, Venus may not have always been this inhospitable. Climate simulations suggest that billions of years ago, Venus could have had moderate temperatures and possibly even liquid water if it had a slower rotation period2 4. These simulations indicate that Venus's climate could have remained habitable until at least 715 million years ago, demonstrating the significant role that rotation and topography play in the planet's climatic history2 4.
Polar and Regional Temperature Variations
The temperature on Venus does not vary significantly from the equator to the poles. Microwave measurements have shown little evidence for substantial polar cooling, suggesting a relatively uniform temperature distribution across the planet1. However, there are some variations in temperature with solar illumination, as observed at different planetary phase angles. For instance, measurements at a wavelength of 3.75 cm indicate a mean temperature of 646 K, with variations depending on the phase angle5.
Upper Atmosphere and Exospheric Temperatures
The upper atmosphere of Venus exhibits significant temperature variations. The exospheric temperature, which is the temperature at the upper boundary of the atmosphere, averages around 228 K but can vary significantly with solar activity6. Observations from the Venera 9 space probe revealed that temperatures at an altitude of 250 km range from 500 K on the dayside to 200 K on the nightside, indicating a substantial day-to-night temperature variation9.
Thermal Structure and Atmospheric Dynamics
The thermal structure of Venus's upper atmosphere is complex, with a succession of warm and cold layers. A General Circulation Model (GCM) predicts that during the daytime, there is a cooling trend with increasing latitudes at all altitudes, while at nighttime, the trend is inverse above about 110 km, with the atmosphere being warmer towards the pole10. This model also predicts a nighttime warm layer below about 110 km, whose intensity decreases with increasing latitudes10.
Conclusion
Venus's temperature profile is characterized by extreme surface heat due to a runaway greenhouse effect, relatively uniform temperatures across the planet, and significant variations in the upper atmosphere. Historical climate models suggest that Venus may have once had moderate temperatures, highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of its climate. Understanding these temperature variations is crucial for comprehending the planet's past, present, and potential future conditions.
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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 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 CitedGlobal empirical model of the Venus thermosphere
The Venus thermosphere has a global average temperature of 228°K, with a 10% change in temperature compared to the terrestrial thermosphere.
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