Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 176. With the search for extra-solar planets in full gear, it has become essential to gain a more detailed understanding of the evolution of the other earth-like planets in our own solar system. Space missions to Venus, including the Soviet Veneras, Pioneer Venus, and Magellan, provided a wealth of information about this planet' enigmatic surface and atmosphere, but left many fundamental questions about its origin and evolution unanswered. This book discusses how the study of Venus will aid our understanding of terrestrial and extra-solar planet evolution, with particular reference to surface and interior processes, atmospheric circulation, chemistry, and aeronomy. Incorporating results from the recent European Venus Express mission, Exploring Venus as a Terrestrial Planet examines the open questions and relates them to Earth and other terrestrial planets. The goal is to stimulate thinking about those broader issues as the new Venus data arrive.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 176.With the search for extra-solar planets in full gear, it has become essential to gain a more detailed understanding of the evolution of the other earth-like planets in our own solar system. Space missions to Venus, including the Soviet Veneras, Pioneer Venus, and Magellan, provided a wealth of information about this planet' enigmatic surface and atmosphere, but left many fundamental questions about its origin and evolution unanswered.This book discusses how the study of Venus will aid our understanding of terrestrial and extra-solar planet evolution, with particular reference to surface and interior processes, atmospheric circulation, chemistry, and aeronomy. Incorporating results from the recent European Venus Express mission, Exploring Venus as a Terrestrial Planet examines the open questions and relates them to Earth and other terrestrial planets. The goal is to stimulate thinking about those broader issues as the new Venus data arrive.

PrefaceLarry W. Esposito, Ellen R. Stofan, and Thomas E. CravensviiExploring Venus: Major Scientific Issues and DirectionsLarry W. Esposito, Ellen R. Stofan, and Thomas E. Cravens1Geochemistry of Venus' Surface: Current Limitations asFuture OpportunitiesAllan H. Treiman 7Surface Evolution of VenusAlexander T. Basilevsky and George E. McGill 23Tectonic and Thermal Evolution of Venus and the Role ofVolatiles: Implications for Understanding the TerrestrialPlanetsSuzanne E. Smrekar, Linda Elkins-Tanton, Johannes J. LeitnerAdrian Lenardic, Steve Mackwell, Louis Moresi, Christophe Sotinand Ellen R. Stofan 45Atmospheric Composition, Chemistry, and CloudsFranklin P. Mills, Larry W. Esposito, and Yuk L. Yung 73Venus Atmosphere Dynamics: A Continuing EnigmaG. Schubert, S. W. Bougher, C. C. Covey, A. D. Del Genio, A. S.Grossman, J. L. Hollingsworth, S. S. Limaye, and R. E. Young101Radiation in the Atmosphere of VenusDmitry V. Titov, Mark A. Bullock, David Crisp, Nilton O. RennoFredric W. Taylor, and Ljudmilla V. Zasova 121Venus Upper Atmosphere and Plasma Environment: Critical Issuesfor Future ExplorationC. T. Russell, J. G. Luhmann, T. E. Cravens, A. F. Nagy, and R.J. Strangeway 139Venus Express and Terrestrial Planet ClimatologyFredric W. Taylor, Håkan Svedhem, and Dmitri M. Titov157Experiencing Venus: Clues to the Origin, Evolution, andChemistry of Terrestrial Planets via In-Situ Exploration of ourSister WorldKevin H. Baines, Sushil K. Atreya, Robert W. Carlson, DavidCrisp, David Grinspoon, Christopher T. Russell, Gerald Schubertand Kevin Zahnle 171Astrobiology and Venus ExplorationDavid H. Grinspoon and Mark A. Bullock 191Technology Perspectives in the Future Exploration of VenusJames A. Cutts, Tibor S. Balint, Eric Chassefiere, and ElizabethA. Kolawa 207