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Heavy Metal Frost on Highlands of Venus?

Posted by michael on from the pure-speculation dept.

deglr6328 writes "The BBC is reporting that a paper published in the journal Icarus, suggests that the highlands of Venus are covered by a layer of Lead and Bismuth frost. The authors of the paper were looking for a way to explain the anomalous high reflectivity (and corresponding low emissivity) shown at high altitudes in synthetic aperture radar images sent back by the Magellan probe in the early 90's. The study concludes that Venus's lowlands are hot enough (~850F) to partially vaporize these metals into a mist which then condenses back out of the atmosphere to a solid on the surface of the cooler Venusian highlands."

11 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. Cool...but a little late! by Otter · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Heavy Metal Frost on Highlands of Venus" would have been a perfect song or album title for some ponderous, pretentious 70's metal band. I can see the cover art already -- move over, Rainbow Rising, this is going on the back of my new denim vest!

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  2. wow... by dacarr · · Score: 2, Funny

    The landscape must look amazing on this planet. Shame we can't actually live there.

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    1. Re:wow... by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hey, nobody's stopping you!

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    2. Re:wow... by dacarr · · Score: 2, Funny

      Oh yeah, and imagine if it happened in Los Angleles. waitaminit....

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    3. Re:wow... by Uma+Thurman · · Score: 5, Funny

      don't go for the atmosphere. go for the food.

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  3. Venus's real color by theMerovingian · · Score: 2, Funny

    from article:
    Detailed calculations, to be published in the journal Icarus, suggest that lead and bismuth are to blame for giving Venus its bright, metallic skin.

    I thought bismuth was the stuff in Pepto Bismol.

    Wouldn't Venus appear pink if that were the case?!?

    I will save all the anonymous cowards the trouble:
    Wouldn't that cause Venus to appear black on the radar? Doesn't bismuth belong on Uranus?

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  4. I'll be late to work... by Dimitri-san · · Score: 2, Funny

    Imagine trying to scrape that frost off your windshield in the morning...

    1. Re:I'll be late to work... by TwistedGreen · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, but what good will scraping a windshield do when it's stuck in a pool of molten car?

  5. Obligatory Venusian Carol by Dr.+Photo · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm dreaming of a highly-reflective metal frost Christmas
    Just like the ones I used to know...

  6. And I was complaining about shovelling snow... by FFFish · · Score: 2, Funny

    I mean, yah, damp snow is a little heavy. Damp Lead/Bismuth snow, on the other hand -- hoo-boy! Bust a gut out there for sure.

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  7. Re:Rad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Imagine the "snow flakes" made out of bismuth. that would put a dent in your windshield!