Venus : New Study
A new study suggests that Venus is losing water much faster than previously thought, with researchers identifying a mechanism in the Venusian ionosphere responsible for this accelerated water loss.
- Venus may have once had oceans, but now only 0.002% of its atmosphere is water vapor.
- The process of non-thermal hydrogen escape, where solar radiation splits water molecules and hydrogen escapes into space, is a key factor.
- Venus, the second planet from the Sun and the closest to Earth, is renowned as the brightest planet in the night sky.
- It lacks a satellite and its atmosphere is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid droplets.
- Notably, Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, from east to west.
- Alongside Mercury, Earth, and Mars, Venus is classified as a terrestrial planet.
