Venus is referred as the twin planet of the earth because they have the same mass, density, and gravitational force. This is the 3rd smallest planet in the universe, next to Mercury, and Mars. This planet is our nearest neighbor. But despite from the similarities between Earth and Venus, the planets’ atmosphere, temperature and magnetic fields are far different from each other.
This planet’s diameter is almost the same with our planet. Its width measurement is 12,100 km. The surface area of this planet is 46×108 km2. The Venusians has a volume of 9.38×1011 km3. This volume is almost 85% of our planet. The mass of this planet is 4.87×1024 kg, which is more than 80% of our planet. According to this statistics, how scientist cannot call this planet and Earth as sister planet.
But like what I said, aside from their similarities (Earth and Venus), other characteristics are different. This planet’s temperature is almost immeasurable. This planet is the second planet to the sun. So it is not a surprise that this planet can reach 462 degrees Celsius in temperature. The hottest desert in our planet reaches 52 degrees celsius, which means Venus is 410 degrees Celsius higher than that hottest dessert on earth. This temperature is enough to melt lead. This planet’s temperature is even hotter than Mercury even if this planet is closer to the sun. The heat that it receives from the sun is trapped inside its atmosphere, because of its surface pressure making it the hottest planet in the universe.
This planet is one of the terrestrial planets, which means it has rocky surface. The gravitational force of this planet is 91% the same of the earth. Its density is 5,240 kg/m3 and is less dense of the earth. This planer is one of the densest planets in our solar system together with the earth and mercury.
This planet is covered by rocks and rolling uplands. There are alsot a thousand volcanoes in this planet with 20 kilometers in diameter. These volcanoes’ surfaces are also covered by lavas. All of the volcanoes in this planet are huge and even have large craters. No small object can penetrate this planet because of its thick cloud. No living objects can stand here because of its temperature. The planet’s surface is all covered by volcanic craters and continues to scattered as the years goes by. This planet has no ocean that can divide its land; it is actually the volcanoes that divide the surface of the planet.
Not until today that there were solid evidences of the structure and other information about this planet. Because of its temperature, spacecraft before were impossible to land in its surface. Mass, density, and size were all based only when it compares to our planet. But exact measurement was impossible to determine. But as the years and technology continue to evolve, scientist finds its way to gather data from this planet.
The first spacecraft to reach this planet is the Verra 3 from USSR. In November 16, 1965, this first man made spacecraft was launched and reached the planet Venus on March 1, 1966.