Cloud structures at Venus at time of MESSENGER flyby

This movie consists of a sequence of six images obtained by the VIRTIS imaging spectrometer on board ESA’s Venus Express on 5 and 6 June 2007, before and after NASA MESSENGER’s closest approach to the planet.

The image sequence, obtained by VIRTIS, provides a night-side view of the same region that Messenger flew over and imaged.

They were obtained at 1.7 micrometres, revealing atmospheric details down to an altitude of 50 km from the surface.

A combined image made of the six images featured in this video can be downloaded here [ ORB410_411_tot.tif ]