Venus is a bright object in the night sky, named after the Roman goddess of love, sex, and beauty, and has a rich history in mythology. NASA's Magellan spacecraft photographed the planet's surface, revealing its volcanoes and impact craters after being launched in 1989. A rare event occurred on June 5, 2012, when Venus crossed in front of the sun, with the next occurrence not expected until 2117.

1. Venus
Venus is one of the brightest objects in the night sky. So it’s not surprising
that it has attracted the attention of everyone since antiquity.

2. Part 1- As Ancients viewed it
Many myth were associated by the ancients with it. It was named after
the Roman goddess of “love, sex and beauty”.

3. Part 2 – Exploring Venus
Photo credit: NASA

5. This picture was captured by NASA’s Magellan spacecraft. It shows the entire surface of the
planet, imaged by the spacecraft’s radar instrument, which can penetrate the thick clouds
to reveal the surface below. Magellan was launched from the cargo bay of the space shuttle
Atlantis in May 1989, and arrived at Venus on August 10, 1990. It orbited the planet for 4
years before plunging to the surface.

6. Venera 7

7. Venera 7

9. Part3 – Landing on Venus

10. Eistla region of Venus containing volacanoes and impact craters. The
photograph was taken by Magellan spacecraft. (Credit NASA)

11. On 5 June 2012, Venus crossed the face of the sun - as seen from Earth. These transits
are rare - they occur in pairs and only very century or so. The last transit was in 2004.
The next one will be in 2117. (Photo credit: NASA)