Terraforming of Venus

The terraforming of Venus is the hypothetical process of engineering the global environment of the planet Venus in such a way as to make it suitable for human habitation. Terraforming Venus was first seriously proposed by the astronomer Carl Sagan in 1961. The minimum adjustments to the existing environment of Venus to support human life would require three major changes to the planet. These three changes are closely interrelated, since Venus's extreme temperature is due to the greenhouse effect caused by its dense carbon-dioxide atmosphere:

  • Reducing Venus's 450°C (850°F) surface temperature.
  • Eliminating most of the planet's dense 9 MPa (~90 atm) carbon dioxide atmosphere, via removal or conversion to some other form.
  • Addition of breathable oxygen to the atmosphere.

Furthermore, the following two changes would also be highly desirable:

  • Establishing a day/night light cycle shorter than Venus's extant solar day (presently 116.75 Earth days).
  • Establishing a planetary magnetic field or substitute for protection against solar and cosmic radiation.

Read more about Terraforming Of Venus:  Solar Shades, Rotation, See Also

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