NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Captures Stunning Images of Venus’ Night Side planetaryscience space science
observed the night side of Venus and unexpectedly penetrated its thick atmosphere, detecting thermal emission from the planet’s surface, making this the first detection of the Venusian surface by an optical telescope. The thermal emission is detectable due to the high temperature of the Venusian surface, which even on the night side reaches an estimated 462 degrees Celsius .
WISPR was designed to see faint features in the solar atmosphere and wind, and some scientists thought they might be able to use the camera to image the cloud tops veiling Venus as Parker passed the planet. “We’re thrilled with the science insights Parker Solar Probe has provided thus far,” said Dr. Nicola Fox, division director for the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters.