Abstract
Spacecraft-collected remotely sensed datasets provide an excellent vehicle for illustrating and conveying geologic principles and scientific reasoning to students. A particularly useful dataset includes synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery from NASA's Magellan mission to Venus. To help illustrate this dataset's usefulness in amplifying geoscience lessons, this paper serves as a virtual field trip guide to three Venusian field areas; each region displays geologic relations that provide ideal settings to address fundamental geologic principles and practice scientific reasoning. The images are available online at no cost through the USGS webpage, map-a-planet. Specific class exercises are limitless and easily integrated into petrology/volcanology, geomorphology, structure, field methods, and introductory courses. Further, Venus' extreme surface conditions (~450° C, ~100 bars surface pressure) add a unique twist in geologic studies and emphasize the universality of fundamental geologic principles.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
