Venus

[About the Planet]

Venus

Venus is the second planet from the Sun, and the brightest natural object in our sky after the Sun and Moon. Known as the morning or evening star, it resembles Earth in size, earning the name Earth's sister. Its surface, however, is very different.

[Extreme Environments]
Venus has an extremely thick atmosphere of mainly carbon dioxide. Its runaway greenhouse effect makes it the hottest planet, with surface temperatures above 460 degrees Celsius. Thick clouds of sulfuric acid permanently shroud it.

[Orbit]
Venus rotates very slowly, in the opposite direction to most planets. One rotation takes longer than its entire orbit around the Sun. Its unusual motion continues to fascinate astronomers.

[Did You Know?]
Venus's thick clouds hid its surface until the space age. The deadly heat and pressure mean no probe has survived there for much longer than two hours.

[Symbols & Legends]

In astrology, Venus symbolizes love, beauty and harmony. In Roman mythology, Venus is the goddess of love and beauty, often depicted rising from sea foam: an embodiment of the pursuit of perfection.

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