Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 176. With the search for extra-solar planets in full gear, it has become essential to gain a more detailed understanding of the evolution of the other earth-like planets in our own solar system. Space missions to Venus, including the Soviet Veneras, Pioneer Venus, and Magellan, provided a wealth of information about this planet' enigmatic surface and atmosphere, but left many fundamental questions about its origin and evolution unanswered. This book discusses how the study of Venus will aid our understanding of terrestrial and extra-solar planet evolution, with particular reference to surface and interior processes, atmospheric circulation, chemistry, and aeronomy. Incorporating results from the recent European Venus Express mission, Exploring Venus as a Terrestrial Planet examines the open questions and relates them to Earth and other terrestrial planets. The goal is to stimulate thinking about those broader issues as the new Venus data arrive.

A leading Venus researcher explains in a friendly non-technical style what we know through our investigations of Earth's 'twin' planet.

Venus is the planet closest to us on Earth; in fact, it’s so close that it can be seen in the sky without a telescope! It looks just like a very bright star. This rocky planet is covered in clouds, but they’re not like the clouds in Earth’s atmosphere. They’re full of poisonous gases! What else makes Venus interesting? Readers will find out as they discover fascinating facts about Venus through text that supports common science curriculum topics. Readers are also presented with detailed images in the form of helpful diagrams and stunning photographs of space.

With reflective clouds, Venus appears to be the brightest planet in the night sky. Young students will read about the discovery of Venus, its harsh environment, and the ways it has been explored.

Venus is the brightest 'star' in the night sky and it has been observed since ancient times. Often dubbed Earth's 'twin', it is the planet most similar to the Earth in size, mass and composition. There the similarity ends: Venus is shrouded by a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere, its surface is dominated by thousands of volcanoes and it lacks a protective magnetic field to shield it from energetic solar particles. So why isn't Venus more like Earth? In this book, a leading researcher of Venus addresses this question by explaining what we know through our investigations of the planet. Venus presents an intriguing case study for planetary astronomers and atmospheric scientists, especially in light of the current challenges of global warming, which supports, and potentially threatens, life on Earth. Scientifically rigorous, yet written in a friendly non-technical style, this is a broad introduction for students and astronomy and space enthusiasts.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 176. With the search for extra-solar planets in full gear, it has become essential to gain a more detailed understanding of the evolution of the other earth-like planets in our own solar system. Space missions to Venus, including the Soviet Veneras, Pioneer Venus, and Magellan, provided a wealth of information about this planet' enigmatic surface and atmosphere, but left many fundamental questions about its origin and evolution unanswered. This book discusses how the study of Venus will aid our understanding of terrestrial and extra-solar planet evolution, with particular reference to surface and interior processes, atmospheric circulation, chemistry, and aeronomy. Incorporating results from the recent European Venus Express mission, Exploring Venus as a Terrestrial Planet examines the open questions and relates them to Earth and other terrestrial planets. The goal is to stimulate thinking about those broader issues as the new Venus data arrive.

Venus is the planet closest to us on Earth; in fact, it’s so close that it can be seen in the sky without a telescope! It looks just like a very bright star. This rocky planet is covered in clouds, but they’re not like the clouds in Earth’s atmosphere. They’re full of poisonous gases! What else makes Venus interesting? Readers will find out as they discover fascinating facts about Venus through text that supports common science curriculum topics. Readers are also presented with detailed images in the form of helpful diagrams and stunning photographs of space.