Venus


Earth's sister planet (?) - the size, mass and density are approx. the same, surface gravity .9 Earth normal
 

                            
 

IAU only female names

It is the closest planet to Earth

.7 AU from the Sun
 
 

Atmosphere

Composition
96% CO2
<4% N2
<1% O2
<.1% H2O
This produces a runaway Greenhouse Effect
Surface temp - 750 K (900oF)
 
 


 

Atmospheric Pressure - 90 x greater

Sulfuric acid Rain

A lot of lightning

Revolution

105 Earth days


Rotation

127 Earth days - the day is longer than the yr
retrograde - sun rises in the west
Impact during formation (?) - ad hoc


Topography

Radar mapped
Flat - 60% rolling plains
16% below this vs. 66% on Earth
Only two large continents ( Ishtar and Aphrodite )



 

Geology

No plate tectonics
Signs of Vulcanism

 
Soil material seems to be mostly basaltic