The Electric Wind of Venus
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- Visualizations by:
- Brian Monroe
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- Graphics:
- Brian Monroe
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- Written by:
- William Steigerwald
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- Scientific consulting by:
- Glyn Collinson
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- Produced by:
- Genna Duberstein
- View full credits
Venus has an "electric wind" strong enough to remove the components of water from its upper atmosphere. This action may have played a significant role in stripping Earth's twin planet of its oceans, according to new research results from the European Space Agency's Venus Express mission led by NASA-funded researchers. Lead author of the research paper, Glyn Collinson, explains that "electric wind" can strip Earth-like planets of oceans and atmospheres.
"Electric Wind" can strip Earth-like planets of oceans and atmospheres.
Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.
Complete transcript available.
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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Animator
- Brian Monroe (USRA) [Lead]
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Graphic designer
- Brian Monroe (USRA) [Lead]
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Science writer
- William Steigerwald (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
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Editor
- Genna Duberstein (ADNET Systems, Inc.)
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Scientist
- Glyn Collinson (Catholic University of America) [Lead]
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Producer
- Genna Duberstein (ADNET Systems, Inc.) [Lead]
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Videographer
- John Caldwell (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.) [Lead]
Series
This visualization can be found in the following series:Related Pages
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ID: 12286 Produced Video
Instagram: The Electric Wind of Venus
Read moreIn many ways, Venus is the most similar planet to Earth. Not only are its size and gravity comparable to Earth’s, but there’s evidence that Venus once had lots of water – oceans’ worth! – in the distant past. So what happened? New NASA-funded research using data from ESA’s Venus Express reveal that it may have been Venus’ electric field that stripped the planet of water. Venus’ electric field is about 5-10 times stronger than Earth’s. That electric force is enough to rip particles – including the building blocks of water – out of Venus’ atmosphere. Over time, this “electric wind” could leave a watery planet bone-dry, making it a key factor in whether or not a planet is hospitable to life. Understanding this process will help scientists pinpoint where potentially habitable planets could be lurking around other stars. ||
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