NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Venus is a planet. It is closer to the sun than any other planet except Mercury. Venus is known as Earth's "twin" because the two planets are about the same size. No other planet is nearer to Earth than Venus.

Image to left: Venus is surrounded by thick acid clouds. Astronomers cannot see its surface even with telescopes. This picture was made using radar waves and photos taken from cameras that landed on Venus. Credit: NASA

From Earth, Venus looks brighter than any other planet or even any star in the sky. At certain times of the year, Venus is the first planet or star that can be seen in the western sky in the evening. At other times, it is the last planet or star that can be seen in the eastern sky in the morning. When Venus is bright, it can be seen even in daylight.

Mountains and volcanoes rise over much of the planet, and canyons and craters mark its surface. The plants and animals that live on Earth could not live on Venus. Venus is covered with thick clouds of deadly sulfuric acid. It is also much too hot. The temperature on the surface of Venus is about 860 degrees F (460 degrees C), hotter than most ovens. Scientists do not think anything lives on Venus.

Scientists have sent spacecraft to Venus to explore the planet. The first spacecraft to pass near Venus was Mariner 2 in 1962.

How to cite this article: To cite this article, World Book recommends the following format: "Venus." The World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2005.

* Note from editor: The MErcury, Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) Mission flew near Venus in 2006.

‹ Previous       › Next       › Return to Topics

› Back to Top