Venus Express has been studying our near neighbour since 2006. The mystery of Venus ultraviolet is now solved. Venus’ clouds have markings that are light and dark in the ultraviolet range. Scientists have long puzzled over conspicuous patches in the Venusian clouds that appear dark at ultraviolet (UV) light wavelengths. They now think these are solid particles or liquid droplets that get transported from deep in the atmosphere up to the planet’s cloud tops. It had previously been unclear whether these were caused by differences in the height of the cloud tops, temperature differences or variation in composition of the clouds. — Agencies