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Science 8 March 1968:
Vol. 159. no. 3819, pp. 1097 - 1098
DOI: 10.1126/science.159.3819.1097
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Articles

Ice Caps on Venus?

W. F. Libby 1

1 Department of Chemistry and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles 90024

The data on Venus obtained by Mariner V and Venera 4 are interpreted as evidence of giant polar ice caps holding the water that must have come out of the volcanoes with the observed carbon dioxide, on the assumption that Earth and Venus are of similar composition and volcanic history. The measurements by Venera 4 of the equatorial surface temperature indicate that the microwave readings were high, so that the polar ice caps may be allowed to exist in the face of the 10-centimeter readings of polar temperature. Life seems to be distinctly possible at the edges of the ice sheets.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Polar Temperature of Venus.
W. A. Gale, W. A. Gale, and A. C. E. Sinclair (1969)
Science 165, 1356-1357
   Abstract »    PDF »
Is Venus Prolate?.
H. D. Greyber and H. D. Greyber (1969)
Science 163, 1469-1470
   PDF »
Radar Scattering from Venus at Large Angles of Incidence and the Question of Polar Ice Caps.
R. F. Jurgens and R. F. Jurgens (1968)
Science 162, 1388-1390
   Abstract »    PDF »
Ice on Venus: Can It Exist?.
J. A. Businger, T. Owen, J. A. Businger, J. R. Holton, and W. F. Libby (1968)
Science 161, 915-916
   PDF »
Venus: Ice Sheets.
J. Weertman and W. F. Libby (1968)
Science 160, 1473-1474
   PDF »


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