Venus Reveals Unexpected Atmospheric Rings and Ongoing Geological Activity

In 2010 astronomers using the experimental Extreme Polarimeter mounted on the William Herschel Telescope on the Canary Islands detected faint concentric rings in Venus's atmosphere that were visible only in polarized light. The observation lasted 36 minutes and has not been reproduced; the data have now been released for further study.

A separate study by scientists at ETH Zurich, published in Nature Geoscience, shows that Venus is geologically active. Analysis of extensive rift valleys, some up to 10,000 km long, and computer simulations indicate recent tectonic extension, uplift rates of 3–10 cm per year, and the possibility of active volcanoes. These findings suggest a dynamic interior and provide guidance for future missions and exoplanet research.