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, of the ‘eye of the hurricane’ on Venus was taken by the Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) on board Venus Express.
This picture shows a region in the venusian atmosphere about 60 km from the surface, at a wavelength of about 5 micrometres. This image is taken only 4 hours after the previous one. In this short time, the vortex has already evolved into a different shape.
Using two images taken at different times, it is possible to measure the wind speeds and study the dynamics of the region.
The yellow dot in the image indicates the location of the south pole.