Planets and Moons  ID: 12286

Instagram: The Electric Wind of Venus

In 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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For More Information

http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/electric-wind-can-strip-earth-like-planets-of-oceans-atmospheres


Credits

Lead Scientist:
Glyn Collinson (Catholic University of America)

Lead Animator:
Brian Monroe (USRA)

Lead Producer:
Genna Duberstein (USRA)

Editor:
Joy Ng (USRA)

Lead Videographer:
John Caldwell (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)

Technical Support:
Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET Systems, Inc.)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12286

This item is part of this series:
Narrated Movies

Keywords:
SVS >> Venus
SVS >> Solar System >> Planets >> Venus
NASA Science >> Planets and Moons
SVS >> European Space Agency