3Venus



​ =VENUS = = = __What Kind of Planet is Venus?__  Venus is a terrestrial planet. Terrestrial planets are the first 4 planets in our solar system. They are classified as terrestrial planets because of their rocky and dry surface, hot/warm temperatures, and their proximity to the sun. The terrestrial planets of our solar system are Mercery, Mars, Venus, and ofcource, Earth. These planets were formed about 4.5 million years ago. Terrestrial planets are very different from gas giants ( Jovian planets). For a start, gas giants are solid planets that are formed from helium, hydrogen, and water, existing in previous states (known as ice or dry ice). Terrestrial planest on the other hand are not solid, they usually have a metallic core made of iron, with rocky and dry surfaces. Our moon is a great example of what a typical terrestrial planet looks like, besides having an iron core. On the surface of these rocky planets are craters, canyons, mountians, and volcanoes. Venus has many volcanoes, on its surface, which can reach up to 100s of miles across and 5 miles high. They spew gasses of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. = = __Venus __

Being the 2nd planet from the sun, Venus is one extremely hot planet. With surface temperatures reaching up to 850*F, many people call Venus a "living hell". Temperatures on Venus are hot enough to melt zinc, lead, and tin! Venus is also very similar to Earth. They are both alike in size, gravity, and bulk composition. But ofcource, no one could ever live on Venus due to the exterme temperatures, and the high gas levels. The gas levels on venus could crush a human being in just seconds. Thick, rapidly spinning clouds suffocate Vunus because of the clouds traping surface heat. It's atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide with the remaining percentage being about 3.5% nitrogen. Any incoming objects nearing the planet's surface would be burned up in the atmosphere before they could reach the ground. Such as spacecrafts; if any tried to land on Venus, they wouldn't last very long due to all of the pressure from the atmosphere and heavy gasses. On Venus' surface, Volcanoes and rivers of lava dominate the area. The biggest volcano on Venus is named Sapas Mons. This volcano is 248 miles across and 0.9 miles high. That's huge! Scientists think there are about 167 of these giant volcanoes all over Venus. Also on the surface of Venus are very large crators. Venus' crators range anywhere from 3km to 280km in diameter. Many scientists have called Venus 'the night star' and 'the morning star'. Venus got this nickname because in the night sky, it is seen as one of the brightest objects in the night sky. Also, right before sunrise, you are able to see Venus gleaming in the sunlight. This glowing planet got it's name from the roman godess, Venus, for her gifts of love and beauty. Now even I see why Venus has this name because of its shining beauty in the night sky. = = __How Scientists Study Venus, & What They've Discovered__ Sence scientists can't land a spacecraft on Venus' surface, they use telescopes. By using telescopes, scientists have been able to learn that Venus rotates backwards. They believe that Venus rotates backwards because of a collision in Venus' early history. Also, they have been able to see that Venus goes through phases just like our moon. Venus it thought to go through these phases because of the way the sun shines on Venus' surface and because of the way Venus rotates. Scientists have also used the technique of using radio waves to learn more about Venus. By using radio waves, scientists have been able to measure Venus' circumference and learn more about the surface of Venus.



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=__~Quick Facts ~ Quick Facts ~ Quick Facts ~ __ =

-2nd planet from the sun -Terrestrial planet -0.72 AU from the center of the Solar System -Mass: 0.82-Volume: 0.86kg -Revolution: 225 Earth Days -Rotation: 243 Earth Days -Moons: 0 -Surface Temp.:850*F -Brightest object in the night sky -Volume: 0.86kg

**__Bibliography__**

[] [] [] [] [] [] "Exploring Our Solar System", Sally Ride & Tam O'Shaughnesesy, C. 2003, "Atlas of the Universe", Mark A. Garlick, C.2006,Sydney;Aulstralia