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9 surreal images of Venus

By: Katherine Butler on Jan. 21, 2011, 12:10 p.m.
A rover has not survived on Venus

Photo: NASA

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When Earth and Venus are at their closest points, they are only 23.7 million miles apart. Nonetheless, our sister planet remains a mystery. Several spacecrafts have been sent to the surface, but the planet’s extreme temperatures and high pressure inevitably disable and crush the crafts soon after landing. A properly outfitted rover that could withstand the atmosphere of Venus would illuminate our understanding as never before. Until then, Venus will continue to illuminate our own skies.