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ORBONIX · SOLAR SYSTEM

VENUS

The second planet from the Sun, wrapped in a dense atmosphere and extreme heat.
Venus — real color
VENUS · REAL COLOR
108.2 million km
AVERAGE DISTANCE FROM SUN
12,104 km
DIAMETER
225 DAYS
ORBITAL PERIOD
243 DAYS
ROTATION PERIOD
4.87 × 10²⁴ kg
MASS
~465°C
AVERAGE SURFACE TEMPERATURE
THE HOTTEST PLANET
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and the hottest planet in the Solar System. Its atmosphere is composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with thick clouds of sulfuric acid. This extremely dense atmosphere creates a powerful greenhouse effect that traps heat near the surface. Venus rotates very slowly and in the opposite direction to most planets. One rotation takes about 243 Earth days, while one orbit around the Sun takes about 225 Earth days.
EXTREME GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Venus has a runaway greenhouse effect, making its surface hotter than Mercury despite being farther from the Sun.
RETROGRADE ROTATION
Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets in the Solar System.
THICK ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere is extremely dense and is dominated by carbon dioxide, with clouds made largely of sulfuric acid.
DID YOU KNOW?
A day on Venus is actually longer than its year. Venus rotates once in about 243 Earth days but orbits the Sun in only about 225 days.
IMAGE: VENUS REAL COLOR IMAGE / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS