7.7: Planet Venus

Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is often called Earth’s twin because they are similar in size and both have cloudy atmospheres. It is also the closest planet Earth approaches, and besides the Moon, usually the second brightest object in the night sky. Venus is often called the Morning Star or the Evening Star because it is very bright when seen in the morning or evening sky.

Planet Venus at a Glance

Characteristic — Current State

• Impact Craters – Yes
• Tectonic Craters – Yes
• Volcanoes – Yes; over 1,600 volcanoes – most on one body in the Solar System
• Atmosphere – Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4), High Pressure, Clouds, Odd Polar Vortex
• Water – No
• Erosion – Yes
• Dunes – Yes
• Polar Caps – No
• Satellites – No
• Life – Unknown

VenusPublic Domain | Image courtesy of NASA.

Crater on the surface of VenusPublic Domain | Image courtesy of NASA.

Sif Mons Volcano on VenusPublic Domain | Image courtesy of NASA.