What Color Is Venus?

Last Updated on Jan 26 2023

Venus intrigues us. After all, we are a mere 25,730,000 miles apart. Some have even referred to it as our twin planet. Earth and Venus are terrestrial bodies and both have a rocky surface. There’s also the fact that we can see Venus during the day, which makes it unique among the objects existing in our Solar System. From the yellow masses of sulfuric acid to the permanent cover of white clouds, there isn’t a direct answer on what color this planet is. 

NASA‘s Mariner 2 did the first flyby of this planet in August 1962 at a distance of 21,660 miles away. But what images did the spacecraft share, and what have we learned since about the appearance and color of Venus?

The Atmosphere of Venus

Mariner 2 gathered some fascinating data in 1962. We learned that Venus has a thick cloud layer hovering above it about 50 miles above the surface that consists of carbon dioxide. It also has yellowish masses of sulfuric acid. Interestingly, the pressure is so high and the temperatures so hot that water can’t exist as we know it in liquid or vapor form. That means that the atmosphere obscures the surface color.

The Landscape of Venus

The United States and other countries have explored Venus extensively. In 1990, NASA’s Magellan gave us our first glimpse into what the surface looks like, including its topography and color. Its mass is about 80% of the Earth’s. It has a similar structure with an outer crust, mantle, and iron core. It’s covered with craters and valleys, many of which resemble topographical features on Earth.

It even has some active volcanoes. Scientists also theorize that the planet itself is geologically active and relatively young. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has 2,036 identified elements sporting names, such as Xcanil Corona (the Aztec-Quiche maize goddess) and Stein (named after the American writer).

The Soviet Union’s Venera program created the first photographs of the planet. They confirmed tectonic activity on Venus. Its surface is rocky with scattered dust and debris, not unlike an uninhabited corner of the Earth. It’s worth noting that most of the Soviet probes succumbed quickly to the harsh atmosphere, some without returning any data.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe was the latest spacecraft that traveled the closest to Venus at 515 miles away. It was able to measure the planet’s atmosphere, adding to our knowledge of its conditions. On February 9, 2022, the craft captured more surface images of Venus. Scientists observed the ground and rocks glowing because of the intense heat.

NASA also noted the presence of an airglow from oxygen atoms swirling around Venus in a ring-shaped pattern. Scientists remarked that we could sometimes see it on Earth. The agency has committed to three additional missions in the coming years. One goal is to learn more about the minerals present on Venus. This information could significantly add to our understanding and picture of the planet’s surface.

Final Thoughts

As close as Venus is to Earth, we have much to learn about our nearest planetary neighbor. We know that its atmosphere accounts for its yellowish color. The intense surface temperatures make it glow in the night—and sometimes day—sky. Future space missions will bring new information to light. Perhaps one day, its image will be as familiar to us as the Earth.

Featured Image Credit: Vadim Sadovski, Shutterstock