VENUS
Venus is the planet whose orbit comes closest to Earth. We often see it shining in the western sky after sunset, which is why it is known as the Evening Star. Venus is a near twin of Earth in size, but it is waterless world with a scorching climate.
Why does Venus change shape?
From Earth, Venus seems to change its shape and size as time goes by. This is because it orbits closer to the Sun than Earth. When it is on the far side of the Sun, we see it as a small circle. As it moves closer to Earth, it gets bigger, but it as a part-circle. Finally, it is just a thin crescent.
What is the surface of Venus like?
Space probes have shown that great plains cover much of Venus’ surface. There are two big highland regions, which we can think of as continents. One is found in the north, and is called Ishtar Terra. The other lies near the equator, and is called Aphrodite Terra.
Why is Venus so cloudy?
We cannot see Venus’ surface from Earth because of thick clouds in its atmosphere. These clouds are not like the clouds we find on Earth, which are made up of tiny water droplets. Venus’ clouds are made up of tiny droplets of sulphuric acid, one of the strongest acids we know. The sulphur has found its way into the atmosphere from the many volcanoes that have erupted on Venus over the years.
How can we see through Venus’ clouds?
Space probes can see through Venus’ clouds and show us what the planet’s surface is like. But they do not ‘see’ in ordinary light. They ‘see’ with radar beams, because radar beams can go straight through the clouds. The most successful radar probe, name Magellan, mapped the whole planet between 1990 and 1992.
What is Venus made of?
Venus is nearly the same size as Earth, and is probably similar in make-up. It has a hard rocky crust, but no great oceans as Earth has. Venus is far too hot for water to remain in liquid form. Beneath the crust is a mantle of heavier rock, and at the centre is a metal core, which may b partly liquid.
Why is Venus so hot?
The average temperature in Venus is more than twice as hot as an oven set on ‘high’. This is because its atmosphere contains mainly carbon dioxide – a heavy gas that trap heat. Over the years it has caused the atmosphere to trap more and more heat, as a greenhouse does. The cloud layers trap the heat too, making the temperature reach a scorching 480°C.
VENUS DATA
Diameter at equator : 12,100 km
Average distance from Sun : 108 million km
Minimum distance from Earth : 42 million km
Turns on axis : 243 Earth-days
Circles Sun : 225 Earth-days
Surface temperature : 480°C
Satellites : 0
Venus is the planet whose orbit comes closest to Earth. We often see it shining in the western sky after sunset, which is why it is known as the Evening Star. Venus is a near twin of Earth in size, but it is waterless world with a scorching climate.
Why does Venus change shape?
From Earth, Venus seems to change its shape and size as time goes by. This is because it orbits closer to the Sun than Earth. When it is on the far side of the Sun, we see it as a small circle. As it moves closer to Earth, it gets bigger, but it as a part-circle. Finally, it is just a thin crescent.
What is the surface of Venus like?
Space probes have shown that great plains cover much of Venus’ surface. There are two big highland regions, which we can think of as continents. One is found in the north, and is called Ishtar Terra. The other lies near the equator, and is called Aphrodite Terra.
Why is Venus so cloudy?
We cannot see Venus’ surface from Earth because of thick clouds in its atmosphere. These clouds are not like the clouds we find on Earth, which are made up of tiny water droplets. Venus’ clouds are made up of tiny droplets of sulphuric acid, one of the strongest acids we know. The sulphur has found its way into the atmosphere from the many volcanoes that have erupted on Venus over the years.
How can we see through Venus’ clouds?
Space probes can see through Venus’ clouds and show us what the planet’s surface is like. But they do not ‘see’ in ordinary light. They ‘see’ with radar beams, because radar beams can go straight through the clouds. The most successful radar probe, name Magellan, mapped the whole planet between 1990 and 1992.
What is Venus made of?
Venus is nearly the same size as Earth, and is probably similar in make-up. It has a hard rocky crust, but no great oceans as Earth has. Venus is far too hot for water to remain in liquid form. Beneath the crust is a mantle of heavier rock, and at the centre is a metal core, which may b partly liquid.
Why is Venus so hot?
The average temperature in Venus is more than twice as hot as an oven set on ‘high’. This is because its atmosphere contains mainly carbon dioxide – a heavy gas that trap heat. Over the years it has caused the atmosphere to trap more and more heat, as a greenhouse does. The cloud layers trap the heat too, making the temperature reach a scorching 480°C.
VENUS DATA
Diameter at equator : 12,100 km
Average distance from Sun : 108 million km
Minimum distance from Earth : 42 million km
Turns on axis : 243 Earth-days
Circles Sun : 225 Earth-days
Surface temperature : 480°C
Satellites : 0
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