Venus' greenhouse effect is perennially feverish and really not worth detecting?
Microorganisms may be present in the upper atmosphere
In the last two years, all countries have embarked on a "journey to Mars", and even India has successfully launched a probe to Mars. Mars is 400 million kilometers away from the Earth at its farthest point and more than 54 million kilometers away at its closest point. Venus is only about 43 million kilometers away from Earth and is the closest planet to Earth. Why don't we go to explore Venus and run to Mars?
Venus is the closest planet to Earth.
In fact, in the last century, we have launched a large number of probes to Venus, up to 46, which is about the same as Mars. But we found that although Venus is almost 95% of Earth, similar in size, similar in orbit, and similar in various physical indicators to us, Venus is one of the most extreme objects in our solar system, with no life at all. Even an iron thing like a probe wouldn't last three hours on Venus.
In the last century, we spent a lot of human, material, and financial resources on Venus. For example, from 1961 to 1965, the Soviet Union was the first to launch four probes, all of which failed and either exploded or were lost. The best example is Venus III, which achieved a hard landing on Venus, that is, a direct landing on Venus without any useful information, but was successful. After all, it hit Venus exactly, right?
Soviet Venus probe
Then from 1967 to 1983, the Soviet Union launched a dozen probes to Venus, from Venus 4 to Venus 16. Of these, Venus 5 and 6 remained hard landings, but both successfully sent back information on the temperature, pressure, and chemical composition of Venus' upper atmosphere. Starting with Venus 7, we finally achieved a soft landing. Venus 11 and 12 sent us back pictures of the surface for the first time, while Venus 13 and 14 drilled holes and collected rock samples on the surface of Venus. Venus 15 and 16 flew in orbit around Venus and drew a full view of the surface of Venus.
Through these explorations, we found that Venus' atmosphere and clouds are completely different from ours. The atmosphere of Venus is mainly carbon dioxide. 96% or so, and this 3% of nitrogen, these gases are very thick, so the atmospheric pressure on the surface of Venus is 92 times that of the Earth, equivalent to the pressure of this 1000-meter deep sea, enough to crush any land creature on Earth.
Atmosphere of Venus
And at a height of 50 to 70 km in the air, Venus has nearly 20 km of sulfate layer, very thick, covering the entire planet, so we can not see the surface of Venus in space. It is because of the large number of clouds that Venus is the planet with the highest albedo in the solar system. It reflects between 70% and 84% of the sunlight. This, combined with its proximity to the Sun and Earth, makes Venus the brightest object we can see from Earth besides the Sun and Moon. It is 14 times brighter than Uranus and 200 times brighter than Mars. In short, it is the brightest star in the night sky.
Then because of the high concentration of carbon dioxide on Venus, which brings about a runaway greenhouse effect, Venus is hotter than Mercury. We know that Mercury is closest to the Sun, so it should be the hottest planet in the solar system, and it has no atmosphere. In the presence of sunlight, the surface temperature can reach 472 degrees Celsius, and on the side without sunlight, the temperature drops to -180 degrees Celsius. The global temperature of Venus is always 440-480 degrees Celsius, which is the reason why the Soviet probes did not last long after going up there. So in this century, we are mainly concerned with Mars.
But in the future, we will still launch probes to Venus, because scientists have always believed that there may be some surviving microorganisms in the upper atmosphere of Venus. After all, the environment there is very similar to our Earth, so we will continue to explore Venus in the future, China will also launch Venus probes in the future.
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15 Years After Fukushima, Japan Prepares to Restart the World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant
Fifteen years after the catastrophic Fukushima disaster, Japan is preparing to restart the world’s largest nuclear power plant. The decision marks a significant turning point in the country’s energy policy, reflecting both the urgent need for stable energy sources and the ongoing concerns about safety, environmental impact, and public trust. The move underscores Japan’s complex relationship with nuclear energy—a technology that has fueled the nation’s economic growth but also caused one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. The Fukushima Legacy In March 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, releasing radioactive material and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The disaster exposed flaws in safety regulations and emergency preparedness, reshaping public perception of nuclear energy in Japan and around the world. Following the incident, Japan shut down nearly all its nuclear reactors, relying heavily on imported fossil fuels to meet energy demand. The decision led to increased energy costs and heightened greenhouse gas emissions, creating pressure to diversify energy sources. Why Japan is Restarting Nuclear Reactors The restart of nuclear plants, including the world’s largest facility, is driven by several factors: Energy Security: Japan imports over 90% of its energy needs. Restarting nuclear plants reduces dependence on foreign fossil fuels and helps stabilize electricity supply. Climate Goals: Nuclear power generates electricity with minimal carbon emissions. As Japan commits to reducing greenhouse gases, nuclear energy offers a low-carbon alternative to coal and natural gas. Economic Considerations: Importing fossil fuels is expensive. Nuclear energy provides a relatively cheaper source of electricity in the long term, helping households and industries manage costs. The government emphasizes that advanced safety measures and rigorous inspections are in place, aiming to restore public confidence and prevent another disaster. Safety Measures and Upgrades Since 2011, Japan has invested heavily in upgrading nuclear infrastructure. Lessons from Fukushima have led to stricter regulations and improved disaster preparedness: Reinforced Reactor Buildings: Structures are now designed to withstand larger earthquakes and tsunamis. Advanced Cooling Systems: Redundant and automated cooling systems reduce the risk of overheating. Emergency Response Planning: Local governments and plant operators coordinate evacuation drills and disaster simulations. Regulatory Oversight: Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) conducts independent inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards. Despite these measures, skepticism remains. Many citizens fear that no system can fully eliminate the risks associated with nuclear power, especially given the unpredictable nature of natural disasters in Japan. Public Opinion and Controversy The decision to restart the world’s biggest nuclear plant has sparked debate across Japanese society. Supporters argue that nuclear energy is essential for economic stability, energy security, and climate goals. They point out that without nuclear power, Japan would struggle to meet rising electricity demand and climate commitments. Opponents, however, raise concerns about safety, environmental impact, and long-term waste management. Memories of Fukushima remain vivid, and surveys indicate that a significant portion of the population is uneasy about returning to nuclear energy. Local communities near nuclear plants have voiced particular concern, fearing potential accidents and contamination. Economic and Energy Implications Restarting nuclear plants could have broad economic benefits. Stable electricity supply reduces the risk of blackouts, supports industrial activity, and helps control electricity prices for households. From an energy policy perspective, nuclear power allows Japan to balance its energy mix more sustainably. It complements renewable sources like solar and wind, which can fluctuate depending on weather conditions. Nuclear plants provide a steady “baseload” supply that renewables alone cannot guarantee. However, challenges remain: the disposal of radioactive waste, decommissioning older plants, and ensuring consistent regulatory oversight are all long-term concerns that Japan must address to maintain credibility and safety. Global Perspective Japan’s decision is being watched closely worldwide. The Fukushima disaster reshaped global nuclear policy, leading countries like Germany to phase out nuclear energy while others, including China and South Korea, continue to invest in it. Restarting the world’s largest nuclear plant sends a signal about Japan’s commitment to energy self-sufficiency and low-carbon power. It also raises questions about how other nations handle the balance between energy security and safety, especially as climate change increases the urgency for reliable, low-emission energy sources. Lessons Learned Fifteen years after Fukushima, Japan’s experience provides key lessons for the global community: Preparedness is Crucial: Robust safety standards and disaster response systems are essential for operating nuclear plants in seismically active regions. Public Trust Matters: Long-term energy policy must consider public perception and involve communities in decision-making. Diversified Energy Strategy: Nuclear power should be part of a broader energy mix, complemented by renewables to reduce risk and emissions. Continuous Oversight: Independent regulatory bodies and transparent operations are critical for maintaining safety and credibility. These lessons are not only relevant for Japan but also for any country considering nuclear power as part of its energy transition strategy. Conclusion The restart of Japan’s largest nuclear plant, fifteen years after the Fukushima disaster, represents both hope and caution. It promises more stable energy, lower carbon emissions, and economic benefits. At the same time, it reminds the world of the inherent risks of nuclear power and the need for rigorous safety, transparent governance, and public engagement. Japan’s journey reflects a broader challenge faced by many nations: how to meet growing energy demand and climate goals while ensuring safety, sustainability, and public trust. The coming years will reveal whether this bold step strengthens Japan’s energy future or reignites debate over the role of nuclear power in a post-Fukushima era.
By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in Earth
Malfunction Forces Japan to Take Restarted Nuclear Plant Offline: What It Means for Energy Security and the Future of Nuclear Power
Japan's efforts to revive its nuclear energy sector suffered a significant setback recently when a malfunction forced a restarted nuclear plant offline, highlighting the challenges the country faces as it works to balance energy security, environmental goals, and safety standards. This development has raised questions about the reliability of nuclear power in the post-Fukushima era and the nation’s ambitious plans to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
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Autonomy Is The Real Privilege
Good morning, freedom-seekers! Today we’re gonna be looking at autonomy. A strange word, I know; one many would probably look at blankly and run away from on sight. We’re gonna figure out what it actually means, consider how it’s achieved, and decipher just how deeply most of us are tangled up in dependence without realising it.
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