Characteristics of Venus, Earth's Twin with the Hottest Temperature
Venus is classified as an inferior planet due to its proximity to the Sun. Shrouded in clouds, this planet is Earth's closest neighbor and has nearly the same size. It is often referred to as the morning star or evening star because of its brightness.
In addition to its breathtaking beauty, Venus holds various unique characteristics that set it apart from other planets. Want to know more about the planet Venus? Check out the features of Venus, known as the hottest planet in the solar system, below!
1. Venus has an extremely hot surface temperature.
One of the most striking features of Venus is its extreme temperature. Although Mercury is closer to the Sun, Venus is much hotter with an average surface temperature reaching around 471 degrees Celsius. This temperature is hot enough to melt lead.
The extremely high temperatures are caused by Venus's extraordinarily thick and dense atmosphere, which is dominated by carbon dioxide (CO2). Venus's very thick atmosphere traps heat from the sun's rays, preventing it from being released back into space. Additionally, thick sulfuric acid clouds also contribute to reflecting back much of the Sun's radiation, but the heat that manages to enter is effectively trapped by the greenhouse gases.
It is called Earth's twin because it has almost the same size.
Venus has size and structure almost identical to Earth, hence it is called Earth's twin. The size of Venus is nearly the same as Earth, with its diameter being about 7,521 miles (12,104 kilometers), compared to 7,926 miles (12,756 kilometers) for Earth. Additionally, Venus and Earth were also formed in the same inner part of the solar system.
The closest approach between Venus and Earth is about 38 million kilometers. While the farthest point Venus can be from Earth is approximately 162 million miles (261 million kilometers). Venus is the third brightest object in the sky after Earth and the Sun, which is why it can be clearly seen at night. For this reason, people in ancient times referred to it as both the morning star and the evening star.
3. Does not have a satellite or moon
Satellites or moons play a crucial role for the planets they orbit. Unlike Earth, which has one large natural satellite, the Moon, Venus is one of two planets in the solar system (along with Mercury) that do not have any natural satellites at all. This means there are no moons orbiting Venus.
Nevertheless, Brian Skiff at the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth-Object Search (LONEOS) in Flagstaff, Arizona, discovered an object or quasi-satellite officially named Zoozve in 2002. Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) estimated that Zoozve's size ranges from 660 feet (200 meters) to 1,640 feet (500 meters). Interestingly, Zoozve also orbits relatively close to Earth but does not pose a threat.
4. Having valleys and high mountains filled with volcanoes
According to photos taken by Soviet spacecraft in 1961 and 1984, the surface of Venus appears barren, gloomy, and rocky with a sky that is likely yellow sulfur-colored. The average young surface is around 150 million years old, and some older surfaces are also mixed in.
Geologically, the surface of Venus is very active, marked by valleys and high mountains filled with thousands of volcanoes. One mountain is even taller than Mount Everest, with a height reaching 36,000 feet (11 kilometers). There is also an area as large as North America called Aphrodite Terra, stretching along the equator.
5. Does not have its own internal magnetic field
Although Venus has an iron core of similar size to Earth, this planet does not have its own internal magnetic field. Instead of having an internal magnetic field, Venus has what is called an induced magnetic field. This magnetic field tends to be weak and is formed by the interaction of the Sun's magnetic field and the outer atmosphere of the planet.
The process begins when ultraviolet light from the Sun ionizes gases in the outermost part of Venus' atmosphere, creating an ionosphere containing charged gas particles called ions. Then, the solar wind carries the magnetic field of the Sun, which will meet Venus' ionosphere. This induced magnetic field envelops Venus and takes on a shape similar to a teardrop or comet tail as the solar wind blows past Venus and out into the solar system.
With all its similarities to Earth, Venus holds many differences that make it unique and intriguing to study. This planet rotates extremely slowly, so from sunrise to sunset, it takes 117 Earth days. Additionally, extreme temperatures and pressures make this planet uninhabitable.
Why is Venus so bright in the night sky? Why Does Venus Rotate in the Opposite Direction?
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