Articles tagged as Venus | Smithsonian Magazine

2020 is shaping up to be a great year for sky watching.

Ten Celestial Events You Don’t Want to Miss in 2020

Whether you are a telescope enthusiast or just want to step outside to enjoy the night sky, these are the phenomena to look out for this year

January 14, 2020

Maat Mons, Venus' highest volcano, one of several that may still be active in present day

Active Volcanoes May Still Exist on Venus

Scientists baked volcanic minerals in a box furnace to model how quickly lava ages on the planet’s harsh surface

January 6, 2020

New Research

Venus Could Have Been Habitable for Billions of Years

New simulations show the planet could have maintained moderate temperatures and liquid water until 700 million years ago

September 24, 2019

Venus shines brightly in the distance in this picture taken on the International Space Station.

New Research

Venus and Jupiter May Meddle With Earth’s Orbit and Climate

In 405,000-year cycles, the tug of nearby planets causes hotter summers, colder winters and drier droughts on our home planet

May 9, 2018

Computer-simulated global view of Venus.

Think Big

The Case for Going to Venus

Sending a probe to Earth’s lifeless twin could help us understand how life rises—and falls—on faraway planets

March 15, 2017

New Research

Scientists Spot Massive Wave in Venus’ Atmosphere

The 6,200-mile long bow-shaped wrinkle may have been caused by gravity waves

January 17, 2017

An artist’s conception of the Lucy spacecraft flying by the Trojan asteroid Eurybates (left) and Psyche, the first mission to a metal asteroid (right).

Though the new missions have exciting prospects, some scientists aren’t thrilled by the decision

January 6, 2017

An artist's rendering of the sweltering surface of Venus.

New Research

A Giant Planetary Smashup May Have Turned Venus Hot and Hellish

A collision with a large object may have triggered changes deep inside the planet that ultimately affected its atmosphere

March 10, 2016

An artist's depiction of the Akatsuki spacecraft in orbit around Venus.

The five-year wait is over (almost)

December 8, 2015

The volcano Sapas Mons rises over the landscape in a computer generated image of Venus based on data from the Magellan spacecraft.

New Research

Venus May Have Surprisingly Youthful Skin

Based on a new analysis of its impact-driven blemishes, the surface of our sister planet may be much younger than thought

December 3, 2015

Here’s what the night sky has to offer this week

October 20, 2015

Scientist know that Venus' surface, depicted here based on radar data, was shaped by volcanoes, and a new study suggests they may still be active.

New Research

Venus (Probably) Has Active Volcanoes

And they’re (probably) erupting!

June 22, 2015

The Magellan probe captured radar images of the surface of Venus

Earth’s sister planet is astonishingly hostile to life, but exactly how it got that way has researchers intrigued

April 21, 2015

Cool Finds

Never Mind Mars, What About a Trip to Venus First?

There’s a serious proposal to send astronauts to a floating cloud city in Venus’s atmosphere before heading to Mars

December 23, 2014

An artist's impress of the Venus Express orbiter around Venus.

Cool Finds

This Satellite’s Last Act Will Be Skydiving Through Venus’ Atmosphere

The ESA’s Venus Express orbiter is going to end its life with a trip into Venus’ atmosphere

May 19, 2014

In Case You Missed It: the Transit of Venus

If you didn’t have a chance to see yesterday’s astronomical event, watch this NASA video to see what all the fuss is about

June 6, 2012

The previous transit of Venus in front of the sun was in 2004, pictured above. The next won't be until 2117.

How To View This Evening’s Transit of Venus

A few quick tips to keep in mind as you take advantage of the last chance to see Venus pass in front of the sun

June 5, 2012