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Science-Universe: Planets; Vencor Corona on Venus

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This region, roughly 100 km (60 mi) on a side, shows a gigantic structure known as a corona. Such features are thought to be the result of hot rising bodies of magma that reach the crust, and cause it to partially melt and collapse, generating volcanic flows and fault patterns that radiate from the central structure. Magellan acquired this view of Venus during its first mapping cycle around the planet in 1990 and 1991.

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The Planet Venus

Mass (kg)..................................................................4.87 x 10^24
Diameter (km).........................................................12104
Mean density (kg/m^3).............................................5250
Escape velocity (m/sec)............................................10400

Average distance from Sun (AU)..............................0.723
Rotation period (length of day in Earth days).............243.0 (retrograde)
Revolution period (length of year in Earth days)........224.7

Obliquity (tilt of axis degrees)..................................178
Orbit inclination (degrees)........................................3.39
Orbit eccentricity (deviation from circular)............0.007

Mean surface temperature (K)...................................726

Visual geometric albedo (reflectivity).........................0.59
Highest point on surface............................................Maxwell Montes (17 km above mean planetary radius)
Atmospheric components...........................................96% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, 0.003% water vapor
Surface materials........................................................basaltic rock and altered materials

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