Sending a Probe to See Shapes in Venusian Clouds

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has posted a interesting interview with Masato Nakamura, the project manager for the Agency's Venus Climate Orbiter PLANET-C, slated for launch in 2010.

Nakamura discusses the history of Venusian exploration (considerable, back when the Soviets were still sending probes there, not as much in recent years), and then tackles the specific problem the PLANET-C probe is designed to, well, probe.

Oddly, Venus' CO2-heavy atmosphere circles the planet at about 60 times the velocity of the planet's actual spin – the atmosphere circulates completely about once every four days, at speeds of up to 328 feet per second, as opposed to a Venusian day that lasts 243 Earth days.

Scientists want to know why. They've had problems penetrating the thick clouds on the surface to study the ground, but have found that specific infrared light wavelengths can break through. The probe will use these wavelengths to study the shadows of clouds on the ground, and atmospheric phenomena at different altitudes.

Why spend the money to go to Venus, he's asked. He answers thusly:

In comparative planetology, it is essential to collect data from different locations. People often ask why we don't focus our research on one planet; the answer is that our goal now is a greater understanding of planetary meteorology rather than a more in-depth understanding of any single planet. This follows the notion that, if you want to really understand the principles of volcanic activity, for example, you need to study more than one volcano.

More at JAXA's site at the link below.
Japan's Unique Approach to Venus Exploration [JAXA]

(Image: An image of the Venusian surface sent back by Soviet probe Venera 13. Source: NASA)