Venus vs Earth: Earth’s Twin That Went Wrong
Venus is almost exactly the same size as Earth and is our closest planet neighbour, so it is often called Earth’s twin. But its thick carbon dioxide air traps so much heat that the surface is hot enough to melt lead, under clouds of sulfuric acid.
Venus vs Earth: true size
Venus vs Earth at a glance
| Venus | Earth | |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 12,104 km, about 95% of Earth | 12,742 km |
| Gravity | About 90% of Earth’s | 9.8 m/s² |
| Surface temperature | About 465 °C, day and night | About 15 °C on average |
| Air pressure | About 90 times Earth’s | 1 atmosphere |
| Air | About 96% carbon dioxide | Mostly nitrogen and oxygen |
| Clouds | Sulfuric acid | Water |
| Day | About 243 Earth days, longer than its year | 24 hours |
| Year | About 225 Earth days | 365 days |
| Spins | Backwards, so the Sun rises in the west | Sun rises in the east |
| Moons | None | 1 |
What went wrong on Venus
Venus is closer to the Sun, so it started warmer. Any oceans it had may have evaporated, and water vapour and carbon dioxide trapped more and more heat in a runaway greenhouse effect. Today its thick carbon dioxide air keeps the whole planet hotter than Mercury, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun.
Visiting Venus
Soviet Venera probes landed on Venus in the 1970s and 1980s. The longest-lasting one sent pictures for about two hours before the heat and pressure destroyed it. Standing on the surface would feel like being nearly a kilometre under the sea.
Quick facts
- Venus is the brightest planet in our sky, often called the morning or evening star.
- A day on Venus is longer than its year.
- Venus has thousands of volcanoes.
- Venus and Uranus are the only planets that spin backwards.
- Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system.
See them in 3D
Venus vs Earth questions
Is Venus the same size as Earth?
Almost. Venus is about 95% of Earth’s width.
Why is Venus hotter than Mercury?
Its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere traps heat in a runaway greenhouse effect.
How hot is Venus?
About 465 °C at the surface, hot enough to melt lead.
Why is Venus called Earth’s twin?
Because it is almost the same size and mass as Earth and is our nearest planet.
Does Venus spin backwards?
Yes. It spins very slowly in the opposite direction to most planets.
More face-offs: see all 3D comparisons.
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