|
|
|
|
|
Posted: July 18, 2008 Unexplored regions of Venus will soon be within the reach of Venus Express, which is executing a series of manoeuvres this week to gradually bring it closer to its host planet.
Artist impression of Venus Express swooping over the planet's cloud tops. Image: ESA Venus Express has been studying largely unknown phenomena in the Venusian atmosphere for over two years, along with the interaction between the solar wind and the planetary environment. Until now, Venus Express has occupied a highly eccentric polar orbit, swooping by the north polar regions at a distance of 250-400 kilometres, and slingshotting around the south polar regions at 66,000 kilometres. This enabled close up views of the global dynamics on the northern hemisphere, and extended observations of south pole phenomenon, such as the evolution of the South Polar Vortex. By 4 August, the spacecraft will be settled into its new orbit at an altitude of 185-300 kilometres. This modification will enable an in depth study of the magnetic field and the plasma environment deeper in the ionosphere than previously possible.
Close up view of the double-eyed vortex at Venus's south pole. The brighter colours indicate more radiation is coming from the hot layers below. Many intricate sub-structures are visible in the vortex. Image: ESA/VIRTIS/INAF-IASF/Obs. de Paris-LESIA. In a more ambitious strategy, the spacecraft will be dragged through the thick atmosphere, in order to measure its density and to learn more about drag on the spacecraft's body, which will be measured by the onboard accelerometers. As the next step, Venus Express may test aerobraking, a technique where a spacecraft uses the force exerted by the planet's atmosphere to decelerate, thus significantly changing its orbit, but in a controlled manner. More about the Venus Express mission can be found on the dedicated pages of the ESA website.
|
|
|
|
2008 Yearbook This 132-page special edition features the ultimate observing guide for 2008, a review of all the biggest news stories, in depth articles covering all aspects of astronomy including astrophotography, the future of the Sun and space missions for 2008, and much, much more.Take the tour! A 100-page special edition from the creators of Astronomy Now magazine, The Grand Tour of the Universe takes readers from one end of the Universe to the other and, in doing so, asks the question "just how big is the Universe?"Infinity Rising This special publication features the photography of British astro-imager Nik Szymanek and covers a range of photographic methods from basic to advanced. Beautiful pictures of the night sky can be obtained with a simple camera and tripod before tackling more difficult projects, such as guided astrophotography through the telescope and CCD imaging.Starry Night Explore the Universe with these new versions of the award-winning Starry Night Software. Available now from the Astronomy Now Store.Exploring Mars Astronomy Now is pleased to announce the publication of Exploring Mars. The very best images of Mars taken by orbiting spacecraft and NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers fill up the 98 glossy pages of this special edition!Mars rover poster This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
HOME | NEWS ARCHIVE | MAGAZINE | SOLAR SYSTEM | SKY CHART | RESOURCES | STORES | SPACEFLIGHT NOW © 2006 Pole Star Publications Ltd. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||