Venus, the Second Closest Planet to the Sun
Venus is the second closest planet to the Sun. Venus is 67,240,000 miles from the Sun. Venus is also the closest planet to Earth. Venus is about 26,000,000,000 miles from Earth. In the picture below, you can see that Venus is the second planet from the Sun.
What Makes up Venus?
Venus is very similar to Earth. Like Earth, Venus is a rocky planet that has a core, mantle, and crust. In fact, Venus is sometimes called Earth's twin. However, there is one big difference between Earth's and Venus' surface. Venus' surface is covered in nearly one million volcanoes! Some volcanoes may still erupt, but many are no longer erupting. The Earth has a core, mantle, and crust like Venus. However, Earth does not have nearly as many volcanoes. Look at what Venus is made of in the picture below.
How Big is Venus?
Venus is almost identical in size to the Earth. This is another reason why it is sometimes called a "twin" or "sister" planet to Earth. The Photo below shows Venus next to Earth.
Does Venus Have an Atmosphere?
Venus does have an atmosphere. Venus' atmosphere is much thicker than Earth's atmosphere and is made of harmful chemicals. Scientists believe Venus gained its toxic atmosphere because of the constant volcanic eruptions that happened on the planet in the past and its loss of water. There is no Oxygen in Venus' atmosphere.The thickness of Venus' atmosphere causes it to insulate Venus too much. Once the sun's energy enters Venus it is trapped.This causes Venus' temperature to be steady at 870 degrees Fahrenheit all of the time. The video below describes the atmosphere of Venus.
How Long Does it Take Venus to Orbit the Sun?
It takes Venus about 225 days to orbit the Sun. Once again, this is less time than it takes the Earth to Orbit the Sun (by 100 days). Like Mercury, Venus is closer to the Sun than the Earth so the Sun's gravity pulls on Venus more causing it to orbit faster.
Take a look at the videos below. The first video describes many of the things that we've learned about Venus during this lesson. The second video is longer and gives you more information about Venus. You only need to watch the first video, but the second video is very interesting.
Take a look at the videos below. The first video describes many of the things that we've learned about Venus during this lesson. The second video is longer and gives you more information about Venus. You only need to watch the first video, but the second video is very interesting.
Time to Share!
How can what we know about Venus' atmosphere help us protect our own planet?