American scientists from the University of California voiced the reason why Venus has a slow rotation speed. findings described in an article published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
According to university staff, the gravity of such a large object in space, like a planet, is able to prevent a smaller object from rotating. This phenomenon is called gravitational blocking. Therefore, experts believe, it is worth paying special attention to the atmosphere of Venus.
In total, Venus needs 243 days for a complete revolution, it is the slowest planet in the solar system. Extremely fast winds significantly slow down the rotation of the planet, and also weaken the gravitational pull of the Sun.
This slow rotation causes the climate of Venus, the average temperature of which reaches regarding 462 degrees Celsius.
A more thorough study of Venus’ gravitational lock is essential in further exploration of exoplanets targeted by future NASA missions.
In March 2022, NASA scientists proposed a new way to make Venus habitable. They propose to build artificial platform surfaces that will fly in the upper layers of the atmosphere, where the temperature corresponds to that of the earth.
