095-venus-atmosphere-entry-dixon – The illustration depicts a planetary probe undergoing high-velocity atmospheric entry into the upper atmosphere of Venus. A brilliant incandescent plasma sheath envelopes the descending spacecraft, trailing a narrow, glowing ablation wake against the dark backdrop of space. Below, the dense, continuous sulfuric acid cloud deck of Venus stretches toward the horizon, illuminated by the distant sun with a distinct atmospheric haze layer separating the cloud tops from the vacuum above. ; acrylic on board, 1977
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