Beta Regio

Beta Regio
Feature type Regio
Coordinates 25°18′N 282°48′E / 25.3°N 282.8°E / 25.3; 282.8Coordinates: 25°18′N 282°48′E / 25.3°N 282.8°E / 25.3; 282.8

Beta Regio is a region of the planet Venus known as a volcanic rise. Measuring about 3000 km, it constitutes a prominent upland region of Venus centered at 25°18′N 282°48′E / 25.3°N 282.8°E / 25.3; 282.8[1].

The first features that showed up in early radar surveys of the planet were given the names of letters of the Greek alphabet. Beta Regio was one of those features. It was discovered and named by Dick Goldstein in 1964.[2] The name was approved by the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (IAU/WGPSN) between 1976 and 1979.[3] Maxwell Montes, Alpha Regio, and Beta Regio are the three exceptions to the rule that the surface features of Venus are to be named for females: women or goddesses.

Volcanic rises are broad, sloping highlands over 1000 km across. They are cut by deep troughs 100–200 km across. These troughs are an example of continental rifting, and are evidence of surface tectonism.

Beta Regio is cut by a radar-bright north-south trough called Devana Chasma. The northern end has a volcano called Rhea Mons, and the southern end is dominated by a volcano titled Theia Mons.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Beta Regio". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
  2. ↑ Butrica, Andrew J., SP-4218 To See the Unseen, Chapter 5: Normal Science, NASA, 1996
  3. ↑ Butrica, Andrew J., SP-4218 To See the Unseen, Chapter 6: Pioneering on Venus and Mars, NASA, 1996
  4. ↑ Carolynn Young, ed. (1990-08-01). The Magellan Venus Explorer' Guide. NASA.
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