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Pioneer Venus radar mapper experiment

G.H. Pettengill·P.G. Ford·W.E. Brown·W.M. Kaula·C.H. Keller·H. Masursky·G.E. McGill
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Abstract

Altimetry and radar scattering data for Venus, obtained from 10 of the first 13 orbits of the Pioneer Venus orbiter, have disclosed what appears to be a rift valley having vertical relief of up to 7 kilometers, as well as a neighboring, gently rolling plain. Planetary oblateness appears unlikely to exceed 1/2500 and may be substantially smaller.

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G.H. Pettengill, P.G. Ford, W.E. Brown, W.M. Kaula, C.H. Keller, H. Masursky, G.E. McGill. 1979. Pioneer Venus radar mapper experiment. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.203.4382.806

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