a head of my own

Yesterday, I read an article on the BBC website about the anniversary of NASA's Magellan probe's visit to Venus in 1990, which resulted in the most detailed information on the planet which is the most similar to our own in the solar system.

Curious was this tidbit of information:

Scientists now believe this is because the mountains on Venus are covered in condensed melted metal.

The metal, probably lead, is vaporised at lower levels by the incredibly high temperatures, then cools as it rises.

The metal then settles like frost on the planet's peaks to form a thin, highly reflective layer.

Imagine that, metal snow. You'd need something stronger than an umbrella in the winter!!

Anyway, I also found out that the European Space Agency is planning its own Venus mission for the end of this year with the Venus Express.