Aphrodite Terra

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Aphrodite Terra
Aphrodite terra topo.jpg
Topography of Aphrodite Terra
Coordinates10°S 100°E / 10°S 100°E / -10; 100Coordinates: 10°S 100°E / 10°S 100°E / -10; 100
Diameter10,000 km
EponymAphrodite

Aphrodite Terra /æfroʊˈdaɪtiː ˈtɛrə/ is one of the three continental regions on the planet Venus, the others being Ishtar Terra and Lada Terra. It is named for Aphrodite, the Greek equivalent of the goddess Venus, and is found near the equator of the planet. Aphrodite Terra is about half the size of Africa, making it the largest of the terrae.[1]

Description[]

Aphrodite Terra was named by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the governing body for planetary and satellite nomenclature, after Aphrodite, the goddess of love.[2] The name was chosen because Aphrodite is the Greek equivalent of the Roman goddess Venus.[1]

Located near the equator of Venus, Aphrodite Terra is has square area about a half of that of Africa and is much smaller that rougher Ishtar Terra. It is covered with deep rift valleys.[3] Like Ishtar Terra, Aphrodite Terra also has mountain ranges but they are only about half the size of the mountains on Ishtar.[citation needed]

Extending nearly two thirds around the planet,[4] Aphrodite Terra's topography appears buckled and fractured which suggests large compressive forces. There are also numerous extensive lava flows across this terrain[5] and some have an interesting bow shape to them due to atmospheric gravity waves.[6]

Aphrodite Terra has two main regions: Ovda Regio in the west and Thetis Regio in the east. Ovda Regio has ridges running in two directions, suggesting that the compressive forces are acting in several directions. Certain dark regions appear to be solidified lava flows. A series of cracks appear where lava has welled up through the surface and flooded the surrounding terrain.[5]

Gallery[]

  • Radar surface appearance.

  • Color-coded elevation map, showing the elevated "continents" in yellow: Aphrodite Terra is just below the equator to the right. Pioneer Venus Orbiter collected these data with radar.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Russell, Randy (2009). "Venus Continents". Windows to the Universe. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  2. ^ "The Magellan Venus Explorer's Guide". www2.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  3. ^ Russell, Randy (2009). "Aphrodite Terra". Windows to the Universe. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  4. ^ https://jpl.nasa.gov. "Theories About Aphrodite Terra Tested". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Christiansen, Eric. "Chapter 7. Venus". explanet.info. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  6. ^ "Appearance of the large bow-shaped feature observed by Akatsuki turned out to be a mysterious phenomenon occurring every Venusian day | Study". Venus Climate Orbiter AKATSUKI. Retrieved 2021-04-10.

Bibliography[]

1. D. A. Senske, "Geology of the Venus equatorial region from Pioneer Venus radar imaging," Part 3 Regional Geology, Earth, Moon, and Planets, July 1990, Volume 50, Issue 1, Springer, pp 305–327.

2. L. S. Crumpler, "Eastern Aphrodite Terra on Venus: Characteristics, structure, and mode of origin," Part 3 Regional Geology, Earth, Moon, and Planets, July 1990, Volume 50, Issue 1, Springer, pp 343–388. (Page 1).

External links[]


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