Meteorological, Geological, and Biological Conditions on Venus

Abstract

THE absence of oxygen in the atmosphere of Venus, as shown by St. John's spectroscopic observations, and the consequent absence of life such as we know, are scarcely what one would expect at first sight on a planet so much like the earth in size and mass and having a mean temperature within the range of terrestrial abodes of life. An explanation, however, is suggested by further consideration of what might happen to the earth and its inhabitants if it could be transferred to the orbit of Venus, and also have its axial rotation speed reduced to one revolution in several weeks.