The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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This animation shows the fluorescent emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the upper atmosphere of Venus on the day side.
It was obtained by the Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) on board ESA’s Venus Express by scanning the atmospheric limb (it provides a side-view of the upper atmosphere).
The observation was performed on 18 February 2007, while the spacecraft was flying at about 5000 km from the planet.
The two graphs at the bottom show atmospheric spectra obtained by the two instrument’s channels (VIRTIS-H on the left, and VIRTIS-M on the right). They plot the amount of light emitted at given wavelengths. The fluorescence peaks at 4.3 micrometres.