Heavy Metal Frost on Highlands of Venus?

Posted by michael on Tuesday November 25, 2003 @07:53AM 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."

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Cool...but a little late! by Otter · 2003-11-25 07:58 · 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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Re:wow... by Uma+Thurman · 2003-11-25 09:07 · Score: 5, Funny

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

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