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 image 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 on 15 May 2006, at a distance of about 65 000 km from the planet.
The fluorescence can be especially seen in the limb (red line surrounding the planet’s profile) where it shows very enhanced brightening, at around 120-km altitude.