Do you think the moon is the brightest thing in the night sky? Of course, it is but what about the second brightest object. Let me tell you that Venus is the brightest object in the night sky after the moon. The second planet from the sun is Venus. Even though Venus size and weight is similar to Earth but the environment at Venus doesn’t support life there. Although the rocky planet is the closest to the Earth. Continue reading to know astonishing Venus Planet Facts.
Check out Interesting Facts about Venus
Hottest Planet
Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. The temperature at the surface of the planet is 477°C. The highly dense and thick atmosphere of Venus makes it the hottest of all. Venus’s atmosphere has a high composition of carbon dioxide (96.5 percent) which traps all the heat. The thick atmosphere also contains hot poisonous gases. Would you believe the ground of Venus is hotter than an oven? Thick clouds of sulfuric acid covers the surface of Venus.
Where did the name come from?
The planet is named after the ancient Roman goddess “Venus”. She was famous for her beauty and love. It is the only planet in the solar system to be named after a female.
Morning or Evening Star
As mentioned above it is the brightest celestial object in the sky after the moon. The apparent magnitude of planet Venus ranges between -3.8 to -4.6. You can even spot it during the day. Since it is visible after sunset and sunrise so it is known as the morning or evening star.
No Moon
The only planets in our solar system with no moon are Mercury and Venus.
Clockwise Rotation
Another feature of the planet that makes it different from the rest of the planets is its rotation. Venus rotates clockwise in the solar system. Scientists believe that some large object must collide with Venus in the past that changed its rotation.
How long is a day on Venus?
243 Earth days makes a single day on Venus. It means the rotation of the planet around its own axis is very slow. Venus completes a single rotation around its axis in 4 earth months.
A Year on Venus
A year on Venus lasts 225 Earth days. It shows a year on Venus is shorter than a day.
Sunset on Venus
As the rotation of Venus is in the backward direction so sunsets in the east.
Volcanoes of Venus
The volcanic feature is dominant on the surface of Venus. There are active volcanoes on Venus. In fact, Venus has more of volcanoes than any other planet within the solar system. Well, there is no proper explanation of how many of them are active. More than 65 percent of the planet is composed of volcanic lava.
Largest Volcano
The largest volcano on Venus is Maat Mons. It is named after the Egyptian goddess of justice. Maat Mons is 5 miles or 8 kilometers high. This massive volcano is the second highest mountain on Venus.
Surface Pressure
The pressure on the surface of Venus is enough to crush the human body. It is 75 times greater than the pressure on Earth. The pressure found at the depth of 3,000 ft. underwater on Earth is roughly equivalent to the pressure on Venus. Moreover, there are no seasonal variations on Venus.
Earth’s Sister Planet
Planet Venus and Earth both are of the same mass, density and size, therefore, Venus is known as Earth’s sister planet. Although the diameters of both planets are different.
First Mission to Venus
Russia is the first country to send an introductory mission on Venus known as Venera 1. The space probe was launched in 1961. But it somehow lost connection with the base. This first successful launch to land on Venus was Venera 3 in 1966.
Venusian Shadows
The brightest planet Venus can cast a shadow in the night sky. This shadow is called Venusian Shadows.
Another name of Venus
Hundreds of years ago, Venus was named as “Lucifer” which means “Light-Bringer”. But now it’s not used.
What is the highest mountain on Venus?
The highest mountain on Venus is Maxwell Montes. It stands 7 miles from the mean radius of the planet.
Although Venus is lifeless but these Venus Planet Facts reveal that it is our fascinating neighboring planet.
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