Spaceborne radar studies of Venus
Data obtained from the Pioneer Venus radar mapper experiment are discussed. The mission was primarily developed to study the atmosphere of Venus. A highly eccentric orbit (eccentricity of 0.84, period of 24 h) was selected. The instrumentation has two operating modes: altimetry and imaging. Three parameters were measured for every radar spot size: altitude, surface roughness and radar reflectivity at a normal incidence. The measurements have been extended to a topographic map. The results suggest that the Beta region consists of two large shields and that the equatorial region is dominated by Aphrodite Terra. It also appears that the surface of Venus is very smooth and that it lacks great basins and the global plate tectonics present on earth.
- OSTI ID:
- 5802247
- Journal Information:
- AIAA Stud. J.; (United States), Vol. 18
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
VENUS PLANET
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
REFLECTIVITY
TOPOGRAPHY
MAPPING
PIONEER SPACE PROBES
RADAR
ATMOSPHERES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
RANGE FINDERS
SPACE VEHICLES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
VEHICLES
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena