They dusted off old data about Venus. What they saw now was shocking
The American DAVINCI probe is to take a closer look at our neighbor Venus in the next decade. But before the object is launched into space, the researchers responsible for the mission decided to dust off old data about the planet using modern equipment. The effect is shocking.
The idea is brilliant in its simplicity. Since we have more modern equipment today, let’s try to analyze the data collected by previous probes again. The information analyzed in this way could be better prepared for the next mission. And indeed, recycling old data has brought new discoveries.
The difference is shocking
The workshop included information collected by the Magellan probe, which collected information about Venus from 1990 to 1994. It used radar imaging and altitude measurements to obtain from-orbit maps of the topography of the Alpha Regio area. These frames were supplemented with radar images from the Arecibo Observatory and computer models were used to fill information gaps at the new scale – describes sciencealert.com. Effect?
Ten times better resolution of Alpha Regio area maps. This area is interesting because although it somewhat resembles Earth’s mountains, it is more irregular and chaotic. This type of structures have so far only been found at our neighbor’s. The DAVINCI mission will also reach the area, photographing the Alpha Regio area from an altitude of 40 kilometers.
It is worth adding that this is not the first time that old data on Venus has been used to discover something about this planet. Recently, thanks to information also collected by the Magellan probe, i.e. 30 years ago, it was possible to identify evidence of volcanic activity in the Earth’s neighbor. Not only DAVINCI, but also the VERITAS and Envision missions can use the archived data. In the case of the probe, whose shortened name is the name of the famous painter, launch is currently expected in 2031-32.
