Pioneer Image of Venus (IMAGE) NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Caption As seen in the ultraviolet, Venus is striped by light and dark areas indicating that an unknown absorber is operating in the planet's top cloud layer. The image was taken by NASA's Pioneer-Venus Orbiter in 1979. Credit Credits: NASA Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.