Magellan spacecraft records volcanic activity on Venus

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Space technology

Concept :

Recently, NASA Magellan spacecraft captured images of Venus’ surface from different orbits. A few locations, including those suspected to have volcanic activity, were observed two or three times over two years.

Findings of the Magellan spacecraft

A 2 square kilometre volcanic vent on Venus changed shape in eight months, indicating volcanic activity.
It showed signs of drained lava, hinting at activity and eight months later, radar images indicated that the same vent had doubled in size and the lava lake seemed to have reached the rim.
The vent is associated with Maat Mons, Venus’s second-highest volcano.
It sits in the Atla Regio, a vast highland region near Venus’ equator. These changes were likely due to lava flow escaping the vent, hinting at a possible volcanic activity.

Magellan spacecraft Mission

NASA’s Magellan mission to Venus was one of the most successful deep space missions.
It was the first spacecraft to image the entire surface of Venus and made several discoveries about the planet it was launched on May 4, 1989.

About Venus

It is the second closest planet to the sun and the sixth-largest planet in the solar system. It is also known as earth’s twin.
It is the hottest planet in the solar system and its extreme temperatures (450o C) and acidic clouds make it an unlikely place for life.
Along with Uranus it spins backwards with respect to other planets i.e. Its sun rises in the west and sets in the east.
Along with Mercury it has no moons and no rings.

Upcoming Expeditions to Venus

The Indian Space Research Organisation is also working on Shukrayaan-1 to study Venus. The orbiter will likely study the planet’s geological and volcanic activity, emissions on the ground, wind speed, cloud cover, and other planetary characteristics from an elliptical orbit
The new study will help to identify target areas for future missions such as Europe’s Envision that is scheduled to launch in 2032.
Two missions are being planned to Venus that are NASA’s VERITAS and DAVINCI are expected to observe venus in the 2030s.