Venus: Preliminary topographic and surface imaging results from the Pioneer Orbiter

G.H. Pettengill; P.G. Ford; W.E. Brown; W.M. Kaula; H. Masursky; E. Eliason; G.E. McGill

doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.90

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Venus: Preliminary topographic and surface imaging results from the Pioneer Orbiter

G.H. Pettengill·P.G. Ford·W.E. Brown·W.M. Kaula·H. Masursky·E. Eliason·G.E. McGill

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Abstract

Three large Venus surface features, identified previously in images obtained from Earth-based radar observations, are shown by the Pioneer Venus radar mapper to be elevated 5 to 10 kilometers above the surrounding terrain. Two of these features, one bright and the other dark, lie adjacent to each other astride the 65°N parallel between longitudes 310°E and 10°E. The combined region forms a huge tectonically uplifted plateau, surmounted by radar-bright ridges that may have either a volcanic or tectonic origin. The third feature, located at 30°N, 283°E, is radar-bright and may consist of volcanic material extruded along a fault zone. A first radar-scattering image, compiled from data obtained by the mapper in its imaging mode, shows a region north of the equator; several circular depressions seen in this area may result from meteoritic impact.

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G.H. Pettengill, P.G. Ford, W.E. Brown, W.M. Kaula, H. Masursky, E. Eliason, G.E. McGill. 1979. Venus: Preliminary topographic and surface imaging results from the Pioneer Orbiter. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.205.4401.90

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