Venus is a scientifically rich target for exploration.The evolution of Venus is, at present, poorly known, despite it being our closest planetary neighbor. This book reviews current knowledge of how Venus formed, evolved, and reached its current state. It is not clear how its tectonic and volcanic activity has varied through history, nor whether it once had a habitable phase with liquid water on its surface. Science questions addressed in the book span interior processes, surface geology, the atmosphere, climate, evidence for current activity, and the potential for past habitability.
Venus is also critical to planetary sciences in a broader sense. What lessons can we learn about the history of life and habitability on Earth-sized planets and terrestrial planets in general, whether in our solar system or elsewhere? The book addresses how increased study of Venus will also advance our understanding of critical questions for astrobiology, comparative planetology, and the processes that shaped the early Earth.
New discoveries and analyses of recent space missions, have yielded a wealth of new insights into the evolution of Venus. This book outlines how upcoming missions and related investigations will provide data needed to piece back together what caused Earth and Venus to evolve so differently.
Reprinted from Space Science Reviews Topical Collection "Venus: Evolution Through Time".
