VENUS
It is nearer to the earth and the second one out from the sun. Its diameter is 12,102 km. Because it is closer to the sun, the temperature is alarmingly high at 470 degree C. According to the Russian space probes Venera 7 and Venera 8, a surface temperature of 890 degree F was recorded in Venus!
Besides, the carbon dioxide present there quickly and easily absorbs heat radiation from the sun. This excessive heat is termed as, ‘Runaway green house effect’. This planet can be seen with naked eye after dusk or before dawn, especially in darkness. Despite being closer to the sun, it is also known as the Evening Star in the sky.
Venus takes 224.7 days for one revolution. A phenomenon about it is, it spins reverse side and, twice, comes face to face with the sun in its annual orbit which takes 116.8 days. However, the pressure here is many folds than the earth, about 90 times. A day in Venus is as long as 5832 earth hours!
Why it is called as the night sky is that, the dense clouds comprising sulphuric acid and carbon dioxide reflect the probing sun rays and, thus makes it shine like a star. However, the atmosphere there forms a curtain over the planet to see just what is cooking down there on the surface of the planet.
Based on the Magellan orbiter’s findings sent in 1980, the scientists could generate the data in the computer that gave room to reckon that there was a 6 km high deadly volcano on its surface which they named as, “Moat Mons”
Galileo spotted through his telescope that Venus had phases. (Phase here refers to the stage of change in the process considering its illuminations). Note-worthy information about Venus is that, it had figured in the Hindu Mythology.
Travellers of those days believed that sighting of Venus is a good omen. It was considered as the planet of Love! Besides, it gave enough illuminations for them during night travel.