Frida Space

Ten days ago, Akatsuki marked its first Venusian year since Venus Orbit Insertion. To celebrate, JAXA published 7 new portraits by Akatsuki.

Left column

Top photo

Camera: IR1 - Wavelength: 1.01 micrometres - Date Taken: 21/1 - Distance: 38'000 km - Description: Map of the heat coming from the ground (rocks, vulcanos...). The darker region is Aphrodite Terra.

Middle photo

Camera: IR1 - Wavelength: 0.9 micrometers - Date Taken: 7/5 - Distance: 65'000 km - Description: The sunlit face of Venus.

Bottom photo

Camera: LIR - Wavelength: 10 micrometers - Date Taken: 15/4 - Distance: 63'000 km - Description: Map of the heat coming from the cloudtops. Over the south pole, the temperatures are much higher, hence brighter colour.

Middle column

Top photo

Camera: UVI - Wavelength: 283 nanometres - Date Taken: 25/4 - Distance: 108'000 km - Description: Image centred at an absorption line of sulfur dioxide, a precursor to sulfuric acid.

Middle photo

Camera: UVI - Wavelength: 365 nanometres - Date Taken: 7/5 - Distance: 80'000 km - Description: The image's high natural contrast reveals the structure and the dynamics of the atmosphere.

Bottom photo

Camera: IR2 - Wavelength: 2.02 micrometres - Date Taken: 7/5 - Distance: 81'000 km - Description: The distribution of carbon dioxide, the main gas within Venus' atmosphere. The cloudtops over the polar regions are quite low in altitude, hence they appear darker.

Right column (big photo)

Camera: IR2 - Wavelength: 2.26 micrometers - Date Taken: ?/4 - Distance: 76'000 km - Description: Venus' nightside. The map shows the heat coming from the lower reaches of the atmosphere, just above the surface