A Radar Determination of the Rotation of Venus
Abstract
The rotation period of Venus is determined by comparing the positions of surface features observed by radar on four successive inferior conjunctions from 1962 through 1967. The best estimated sidereal period is 242.982+0.04 d retrograde with the spin vector pointing toward R.A.=94.1+30, Dec.= 7l.4+10 (1950.0). This period suggests that Venus is not in synodic resonance with the Earth.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1970
- DOI:
- 10.1086/110941
- Bibcode:
- 1970AJ.....75...61C