These are the first visible-light images of Venus’ surface captured from space
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe got a glimpse of the terrain during a couple of flybys
![a grayscale photo of the surface of Venus against a backdrop of stars](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/021122_NO_venus_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe peered through Venus’ cloud cover to take the first visible-light images (one shown) of the planet’s surface captured from space. The large dark splotch in the middle is Aphrodite Terra, a highland region. The streaks are caused by charged particles and dust grains striking the camera.
NASA, APL, NRL