A new study from NASA scientists, using all available evidence and computer modelling techniques, has postulated that Venus may once have had an atmosphere very similar to that of Earth, with a shallow ocean, rain and snowfall and even permanently snow-capped mountains.
The study found that around two billion years ago Venus may have been habitable; even though it was closer to the sun, the sun is estimated to have been 40% less powerful than it is now.
“In our model it absolutely does snow on Venus. In fact, on its highest peak at 8000m on Ishtar Terra we see a permanent snow cover,” NASA scientist Michael J. Way, one of the report’s authors, told InTheSnow.
In fact, other studies have reported it does still snow on Venus, just not snow as we know it. Scientists believe a kind of “heavy metal snow” can fall on the Venusian surface, as temperatures are so hot that some metals move through the planet’s atmosphere in the way that water does on earth.
