Arachnoid (astrogeology)

In astrogeology, an arachnoid /əˈræknɔɪd/ is a large geological structure resembling a spider web. They are of unknown origin, and have been found only on the surface of the planet Venus. They appear as concentric ovals surrounded by a complex network of fractures, and can span 200 kilometers. Over 90 arachnoids have been identified on Venus, so far.[2]

Venusian arachnoid Trotula Corona[1]

The arachnoid might be a strange relative to the volcano, however, it is also possible that different arachnoids are formed by other processes.[3] One possible explanation is that an upwelling of magma from the interior of the planet pushed up on the surface, causing cracks.[4] An alternate theory concerning their origin is that they are a precursor to coronae formation.[5]

Much of what is known about arachnoids is the result of studies performed by C.B. Dawson and L.S. Crumpler.[6]

See also

References
  1. http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/6092%5B%5D
  2. Kostama, V.P. (2002). "The Four Arachnoid Groups of Venus" (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference – via lpi.
  3. This article contains text from the Astronomy Picture of the Day . As a work of the United States Federal Government, it is in the public domain.
  4. "WTP: Venus: Arachnoids". pds.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  5. Hamilton, Calvin J. "Arachnoids". solarviews.com. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  6. Dawson and Crumpler. "Characteristics of Aracnoids from Magellan Data" (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Institute Conference: 383–384 – via LPSC.

This article incorporates text from a public-domain NASA website.

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