Facts About Venus
Published September 16, 2026 · FactsSeeker
Venus resembles Earth in size but has an exceptionally hostile surface and an unusual rotation.
It is the hottest planet
A thick, carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere produces a powerful greenhouse effect. [1]
Its spin is backward
Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets. The Sun would rise in the west and set in the east. [1]
A spin takes longer than a year
One rotation takes about two hundred forty-three Earth days; one orbit takes about two hundred twenty-five. [1]
Its clouds contain sulfuric acid
The bright cloud cover is chemically very different from the water clouds familiar on Earth. [1]
The pressure is enormous
Surface air pressure is about ninety times Earth’s sea-level pressure. Conditions below the clouds are crushing. [1]
It has no moons or rings
Venus travels around the Sun without a natural satellite or ring system. [1]
It is similar to Earth in size
Venus is slightly smaller than Earth. Similar dimensions do not mean similar surface conditions. [1]
Carbon dioxide dominates its air
A dense carbon-dioxide atmosphere traps heat. This powerful greenhouse effect helps explain the extreme surface temperature. [1]
Radar can reveal the hidden surface
Thick clouds block ordinary views of the ground. NASA’s Magellan spacecraft mapped the terrain using radar. [1]
Mountains rise above volcanic plains
Venus has extensive volcanic landscapes and high terrain. Its surface includes mountains, valleys, and large plains. [1]
It is the second planet from the Sun
Venus orbits between Mercury and Earth. One trip around the Sun takes about 225 Earth days. [1]
Sunrise would occur in the west
Its backward rotation reverses the usual direction of sunrise. The Sun would cross the sky opposite to its motion on Earth. [1]
Sources & further reading
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Sources checked 2026-09-16. Our approach to facts · Suggest a correction