Robot Technology News
VENUSIAN HEAT
Three Ways to Track Venusquakes, from Balloons to Satellites
illustration only
Three Ways to Track Venusquakes, from Balloons to Satellites
by Nathaniel Scharping for EOS News
Washington DC (SPX) Nov 28, 2024

Instruments aboard robotic landers have measured seismicity on the Moon and Mars, helping researchers learn about the inner workings of those celestial bodies. But the internal makeup of Venus is still not known, in part because high winds and blistering temperatures make it significantly more difficult to detect quakes on the second planet from the Sun.

Three approaches to studying quakes on Venus are currently plausible, write Garcia et al. Ground sensors like those used on the Moon and Mars can measure seismic waves. Balloon-based pressure sensors can measure infrasound waves, a form of low-frequency waves in the atmosphere created by quakes. And satellite-based instruments can measure airglow, or light emissions from molecules in the upper atmosphere that show subtle variations when perturbed by infrasound waves. In this study, the authors considered current estimates of seismicity on the planet to weigh the pros and cons of each method.

Sensors on Venus's surface could detect quakes smaller than magnitude 4.0, but current ground-based technologies would likely survive less than a day on Venus, where surface temperatures exceed 450C. Balloons similar to those used in the Soviet Vega program might survive for months, and their ability to detect and characterize seismic waves on Earth was recently documented for the first time. However, they can detect quakes of only magnitude 4.0-4.5 and larger. Satellite-based imagers taking airglow measurements could detect venusquakes of about the same magnitude, and they may be able to gather data for years.

Airglow measurements currently offer the best option for detecting seismic activity on Venus, the authors conclude. If possible, combining airglow measurements with longer-duration balloon-based sensors would offer an even more robust approach and reduce the possibility of misinterpreted readings, they say.

Their study helps constrain requirements for future Venusian missions aimed at studying seismicity while pointing to areas for improvement. These areas include better understanding the geographical distribution of quakes and creating more detailed noise models for each technology.

Research Report:Three ways to track venusquakes, from balloons to satellites

Related Links
EOS Magazine
Venus Express News and Venusian Science

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
VENUSIAN HEAT
Final Venus Flyby sets up Parker Solar Probe for closest sun skim
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Nov 05, 2024
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, NASA's Parker Solar Probe will complete its final Venus gravity assist maneuver, passing within 233 miles (376 km) of Venus' surface. The flyby will adjust Parker's trajectory into its final orbital configuration, bringing the spacecraft to within an unprecedented 3.86 million miles of the solar surface on Dec. 24, 2024. It will be the closest any human made object has been to the Sun. Parker's Venus flybys have become boons for new Venus science thanks to a chance disc ... read more

VENUSIAN HEAT
Lebanon army says Israeli drone hits post in east, wounding soldier

Russia launches massive aerial attack on Ukraine's energy sector

PLP launches drone kit for installing bird diverters on power lines

'Record' drone barrage pummels Ukraine as missile tensions seethe

VENUSIAN HEAT
Sierra Space expands partnerships to advance microgravity manufacturing

Space Machines expands global partnerships with UK collaboration to address space debris

A new way to create realistic 3D shapes using generative AI

Scientists explore sustainable use of fly ash for water treatment

VENUSIAN HEAT
ASML sees business as usual despite US chip export curbs

China curbs exports of key chipmaking components to US

Photonic processor could enable ultrafast AI computations with extreme energy efficiency

US unveils fresh export curbs targeting China's chip sector

VENUSIAN HEAT
UK nuclear plants to stay open longer in cleaner power boost

France's Orano says Niger junta controls uranium firm

Serbia lifts moratorium on nuclear power

Cheers, angst as US nuclear plant Three Mile Island to reopen

VENUSIAN HEAT
US 'appalled' by alleged Russia use of banned gas in Ukraine

Chinese man sentenced to 20 months for Falun Gong harassment in US

Chemical weapons watchdog says banned gas found in Ukraine samples

Thai military accused of beating Myanmar man to death

VENUSIAN HEAT
Brazil trumpets emission cut plans at UN top court

Earning money while supporting power grid stability

Ukraine says energy sector 'under massive enemy attack'

Contentious COP29 deal casts doubt over climate plans

VENUSIAN HEAT
Approaching plasma dynamics with advanced data techniques

KSTAR launches 2024 plasma experiments to refine fusion reactor technologies

Breakthrough in heat-to-electricity conversion demonstrated in tungsten disilicide

Bolivia announces $1 bn deal with China to build lithium plants

VENUSIAN HEAT
Long March 12 set for inaugural launch from Hainan space center

China inflatable space capsule aces orbital test

Tianzhou 7 completes cargo Mission, Tianzhou 8 docks with Tiangong

Zebrafish thrive in space experiment on China's space station

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.