What is the duration of a day on Venus? Scientists already have the exact answer

Published:

May 2, 2021 17:17 GMT

“Venus is our sister planet, however these basic characteristics remained unknown,” said the research director.

A team of researchers led by the University of California, Los Angeles, has determined the exact length of a day on Venus, its tilt, and the size of its core, thanks to the radar returns exerted on the planet’s surface over the last 15 years. The results are Published Thursday in Nature Astronomy.

New radar measurements show that An average day on Venus lasts 243.0226 Earth days, which is roughly two-thirds of the Earth’s year. The speed of rotation of this planet is always changing, which means that the value measured simultaneously will be slightly higher or lower than the previous value. The team estimated the length of the day from each of the individual measurements and observed differences of at least 20 minutes.

“Venus is our sister planet. Nevertheless, these basic characteristics remained unknown.” Advertise Jean-Luc Margot, Professor of Earth Sciences and Director of Research.

The results also show that Venus is tilted completely to one side 2.6392 degreesWhile the Earth is tilted about 23 degrees. Based on measurements of rotation, the team of researchers also calculated that the planet’s core is about Its diameter is 3500 km, Quite similar to Earth, although they still weren’t able to deduce whether it was a liquid or a solid.

According to scientists, Earth and Venus have a lot in common: Both rocky planets have roughly the same size, mass, and density, although, as these measurements show, they evolved in radically different paths.

“Most of the time we get some data,” Margot said. “But it is very unusual for us to have all the data we hope to have.” Despite the challenges, the team is progressing with their two sights set on Moons of JupiterEurope and Ganymede.